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The aim of this study was to determine whether Acanthopanax senticosus Harms (ASH) offers protection against Parkinson's disease (PD) and its related depressive behaviors in rats administered 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). We examined how ASH affected the MPTP-induced loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons in the midbrain of rats. Extract from the stem bark of ASH prepared with hot water was dissolved in distilled water. Rats were then orally administered ASH (250 mg/kg) once a day for 2 weeks before ASH administration plus an intraperitoneal injection of MPTP (20 mg/kg). The pole test and catalepsy test were used to evaluate the effects of ASH administration on bradykinesia and depressive behaviors in the PD model of rats given MPTP for 2 weeks. Treatment with ASH for 2 weeks resulted in prophylactic effects on MPTP-induced Parkinsonian bradykinesia and catalepsy. Immunohistochemistical analysis using TH antibody showed that ASH provided cytoprotective effects against MPTP-induced loss of dopamine (DA) cells. The present results suggest that it may be possible to use ASH for the prevention of nigral degenerative disorders, e.g., PD with depression, caused by exposure to toxic substances.

The aim of this study was to determine whether sesamin, a component from Acanthopanax senticosus HARMS (ASH) pharmacologically offers protection against Parkinson's disease (PD) and its related depressive behavior in rats administered rotenone. We also examined how sesamin affected the rotenone-induced loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-positive neurons in the midbrain of rats. Rats were orally administered sesamin (3, 30 mg/kg) once a day for 2 weeks before an intraperitoneal injection of rotenone (2.5 mg/kg). The pole test and catalepsy test were used to evaluate the effects of sesamin administration on bradykinesia and depressive behaviors in the PD model of rats given rotenone for 5 weeks. Those effects were compared with the ASH administrated group (250 mg/kg). Treatment with sesamin for seven weeks resulted in prophylactic effects on rotenone-induced parkinsonian bradykinesia and catalepsy, and the effects were equivalent to ASH effects. Immunohistochemistical analysis using TH or GDNF antibody showed that sesamin provided cytoprotective effects against rotenone-induced loss of DA cells. The results suggest that it may be possible to use the ASH and sesamin for the prevention of nigral degenerative disorders, e.g., PD with depression, caused by exposure to pesticide or environmental neurotoxins in general.

The extract of the stem bark of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms (ASH) is known to have healing and protective effects on stress-induced disturbance of mental status. We have analysed whether a single or chronic (2 week) administration of ASH can affect concentrations of noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA) and their metabolites in the normal rat brain. A single p.o. administration of ASH elevated the NA and DA levels in the whole brain of rats in a dose-dependent manner. A single or 2 week administration of ASH (500 mg/kg) showed a marked increase in the DA level only in the striatum. However, NA levels were increased by a single dose of ASH in a wide range of brain regions such as the cortex, hypothalamus, striatum, hippocampus, substantia nigra and pons. When administered for 2 weeks no increase in NA levels was seen in these brain regions, except for an increase in the frontal cortex and anterior hypothalamus. The present results suggest that ASH may act by regulating NA and DA levels in specific brain regions related to stress response and Parkinson's disease., (Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)