Acorus calamus extract and its component α-asarone attenuate murine hippocampal neuronal cell death induced by l-glutamate and tunicamycin. Issue 3 (3rd February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mikami, Masashi; Takuya, Ohba; Yoshino, Yuta; Nakamura, Shinsuke; Ito, Kenichi; Kojima, Hiroyuki; Takahashi, Tatsuji; Iddamalgoda, Arunasiri; Inoue, Shintaro; Shimazawa, Masamitsu; Hara, Hideaki
• Is Part Of: Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry. Volume 85:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 493
• Page End: 501
• Publication Date: 2021-02-03
• Subjects: Acorus calamus -- α-asarone -- HT22 -- oxidative stress -- endoplasmic reticulum stress; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; 660.6
• DOI: 10.1093/bbb/zbaa071
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0916-8451

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The Asian traditional medicinal plant Acorus calamus and its component α-asarone exhibited various biological activities, such as antiinflammation and antioxidant effects. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro effects of A. calamus extract and α-asarone on oxidative stress- and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress–induced cell death in hippocampal HT22 cells. A. calamus extract and α-asarone both significantly suppressed cell death induced by the oxidative stress inducer l -glutamate and ER stress inducer tunicamycin. A. calamus extract and α-asarone also significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by l -glutamate. Moreover, A. calamus extract and α-asarone suppressed the phosphorylation of protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK) induced by tunicamycin. These results suggest that A. calamus extract and α-asarone protect hippocampal cells from oxidative stress and ER stress by decreasing ROS production and suppressing PERK signaling, respectively. α-Asarone has potential as a potent therapeutic candidate for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Graphical Abstract: