[Development of New Therapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases via Axonal Growth].

[Development of New Therapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases via Axonal Growth]. Yakugaku Zasshi. 2019;139(11):1385-1390 Authors: Kuboyama T Abstract In neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and spinal cord injury (SCI), inhibited axonal regeneration lead to irreversible functional impairment. Although many agents that eliminate axonal growth impediments have been clinically investigated, none induced functional recovery. I hypothesized that the removal of impediments alone was not enough and that promoting axonal growth and neuronal network reconstruction were needed for recovery from neurodegenerative diseases. To promote axonal growth, I have focused on neurons and microglia. In vitro models of AD and SCI were developed by culturing neurons in the presence of amyloid β (Aβ) and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, respectively. These were then used to identify several extracts of herbal medicines and their constituents that promoted axonal growth. Oral administration of these extracts and their constituents improved memory and motor function in in vivo mouse models of AD and SCI, respectively. The bioactive compounds in these extracts were identified by analyzing brain and spinal cord samples from the mice. Their protein targets were identified using the drug affinity responsive target stability method. Analysis of early events in the axons after culture with Aβ revealed that the inhibition of endocytosis wa...
Source: Yakugaku Zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Yakugaku Zasshi Source Type: research