Akihito Yokosuka

Nobiletin, a Citrus Flavonoid, Improves Memory Impairment and Aβ Pathology in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Increasing evidence suggests that the elevation of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides in the brain is central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease (AD). Our recent studies have demonstrated that nobiletin, a polymethoxylated flavone from citrus peels, enhances cAMP/protein kinase A/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/cAMP response element-binding protein signaling in cultured hippocampal neurons and ameliorates Aβ-induced memory impairment in AD model rats. For the first time, we report that this natural compound improves memory deficits in amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mice that overexpress human APP695 harboring the double Swedish and London mutations [APP-SL 7-5 transgenic (Tg) mice]. Our enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) also showed that administration of nobiletin to the transgenic mice for 4 months markedly reduced quantity of guanidine-soluble Aβ1–40 and Aβ1–42 in the brain. Furthermore, consistent with the results of ELISA, by immunohistochemistry with anti-Aβ antibody, it was evidently shown that the administration of nobiletin decreased the Aβ burden and plaques in the hippocampus of APP-SL 7-5 Tg mice. These findings suggest that this natural compound has potential to become a novel drug for fundamental treatment of AD.

Nobiletin improves brain ischemia-induced learning and memory deficits through stimulation of CaMKII and CREB phosphorylation.

Decreased cerebral blood flow causes cognitive impairments and neuronal injury in the progressive age-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimers disease (AD) and vascular dementia. In the present study, we for the first time found that nobiletin, a novel leading compound for AD therapy, improved cerebral ischemia-induced memory deficits in vivo. Treatment with 50 mg/kg of nobiletin (i.p.) for the consecutive 7 days before and after brain ischemia significantly inhibited delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 neurons in a 20-min bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (BCCAO) ischemia. However, the contextual memory assessed by passive avoidance task was not improved. On the other hand, a 5-min BCCAO-induced contextual memory deficit was significantly improved by the nobiletin treatment. In the 5-min BCCAO mice, Western blot analysis evidently showed that the levels of synaptic proteins, including calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1), significantly decreased in the hippocampal CA1 region. The nobiletin treatment prevented the reduction in CaMKII, MAP2 and GluR1 protein levels in the hippocampal CA1 region, accompanied by restoration of both ERK and CREB phosphorylation and CaMKII autophosphorylation. Consistent with the restored CaMKII and ERK phosphorylation, an electrophysiological study showed that the impaired hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) observed in the 5-min ischemic mice was significantly improved by the nobiletin treatment. These findings suggest that the activation of CaMKII and ERK signaling in part mediates improvement of ischemia-induced learning and memory deficits by nobiletin.

Triterpene glycosides from the roots of Sanguisorba officinalis

Five triterpene glycosides were isolated from the MeOH extract of Sanguisorba officinalis (Rosaceae) roots, as confirmed by detailed analysis of their 1H, 13C, and two-dimensional NMR data, and by the results of hydrolytic cleavage. Three known triterpenes and six known triterpene glycosides were also isolated and identified. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against HSC-2 cells and HGF.

Nobiletin, a citrus flavonoid, ameliorates cognitive impairment, oxidative burden, and hyperphosphorylation of tau in senescence-accelerated mouse

Senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) is a model of aging characterized by the early onset of learning and memory impairment and various pathological features of Alzheimers disease (AD). Our recent studies have demonstrated that nobiletin, a polymethoxylated flavone from citrus peels, ameliorates learning and memory impairment in olfactory-bulbectomized mice, amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice, and NMDA receptor antagonist-treated mice. Here, we present evidence that this natural compound improves age-related cognitive impairment and reduces oxidative stress and tau phosphorylation in SAMP8 mice. Treatment with nobiletin (10 or 50mg/kg) reversed the impairment of recognition memory and context-dependent fear memory in SAMP8 mice. Treatment with nobiletin also restored the decrease in the GSH/GSSG ratio in the brain of SAMP8 mice. In addition, increases in glutathione peroxidase and manganese-superoxide dismutase activities, as well as a decrease in protein carbonyl level, were observed in the brain of nobiletin-treated SAMP8 mice. Furthermore, nobiletin reduced tau phosphorylation in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice. Together, the markedly beneficial effects of nobiletin represent a potentially useful treatment for ameliorating the learning and memory deficits, oxidative stress, and hyperphosphorylation of tau in aging as well as age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.

Nobiletin, a Citrus Flavonoid, Reverses Learning Impairment Associated with N-Methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Antagonism by Activation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling

Recent studies have indicated that learning-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling via N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors is required for consolidation of the resultant learning. These findings raise an idea that control of ERK signaling may be a potential target for treatment of cognitive dysfunction. Our recent studies have demonstrated that nobiletin, a polymethoxylated flavone from Citrus depressa, enhances cAMP/protein kinase A/ERK signaling in cultured rat hippocampal neurons and PC12D cells. Here, we, for the first time, present the evidence that this natural compound reverses learning impairment associated with NMDA receptor antagonism by activation of ERK in the hippocampus. Treatment with 50 mg/kg nobiletin reversed the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine maleate)-induced learning impairment in mice. Western blot analysis also showed that nobiletin reversed MK-801-induced inhibition of learning-associated ERK activation in the hippocampus of the animals. Furthermore, consistent with these results, in cultured rat hippocampal neurons, nobiletin restored MK-801-induced impairment of NMDA-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK in a concentration-dependent manner. Taken together, the present study suggests that compounds that activate ERK signaling improve cognitive deficits associated with NMDA receptor hypofunction and that nobiletin may give us a new insight into therapeutic drug development for neurological disorders exhibiting cognitive impairment accompanied by a hypofunction of NMDA receptor-ERK signaling.

Spirostanol saponins from the rhizomes of Tacca chantrieri and their cytotoxic activity

The rhizomes of Tacca chantrieri have been analysed for steroidal saponin constituents, resulting in the isolation of four new spirostanol saponins (1-4), along with one known saponin (5); their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR, and the results of hydrolytic cleavage. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells.

Steroidal glycosides from the underground parts of Trillium erectum and their cytotoxic activity.

Six steroidal glycosides, along with 14 known compounds, were isolated from the underground parts of Trillium erectum L. (Liliaceae). The structures of 1-6 were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including two-dimensional (2D) NMR data, and a few chemical transformations. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells.

Nobiletin treatment improves motor and cognitive deficits seen in MPTP-induced Parkinson model mice

Nobiletin, a polymethoxylated flavonoid found in citrus fruit peel, reportedly improves memory impairment in rodent models. Here we report its effect on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced motor and cognitive deficits. Nobiletin administration (50mg/kg i.p.) for 2 consecutive weeks improved motor deficits seen in MPTP-induced Parkinson model mice by 2weeks, an effect that continued until 2weeks after drug withdrawal. Drug treatment promoted similar rescue of MPTP-induced cognitive impairment at equivalent time points. Nonetheless, nobiletin treatment did not block loss of dopaminergic neurons seen in the MPTP-treated mouse midbrain, nor did it rescue decreased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) protein levels seen in the striatum or hippocampal CA1 region of these mice. Interestingly, nobiletin administration (50mg/kg i.p.) rescued reduced levels of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) autophosphorylation and phosphorylation at Thr-34 of dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein-32 (DARPP-32) in striatum and hippocampal CA1 to levels seen in sham-operated mice. Likewise, CaMKII- and cAMP kinase-dependent TH phosphorylation was significantly restored by nobiletin treatment. MPTP-induced reduction of dopamine contents in the striatum and hippocampal CA1 region was improved by nobiletin administration (50mg/kg i.p.). Acute intraperitoneal administration of nobiletin also enhanced dopamine release in striatum and hippocampal CA1, an effect partially inhibited by treatment with nifedipine (a L-type Ca(2+) channel inhibitor) or NNC 55-0396 (a T-type Ca(2+) channel inhibitor) and completely abolished by combined treatment with both. Overall, our study describes a novel nobiletin activity in brain and suggests that nobiletin rescues motor and cognitive dysfunction in MPTP-induced Parkinson model mice, in part by enhancing dopamine release.

Steroidal saponins from the whole plants of Agave utahensis and their cytotoxic activity

Phytochemical investigation of the whole plants of Agave utahensis Engelm. (Agavaceae) has resulted in the isolation of 15 steroidal saponins (1-15), including five spirostanol saponins (1-5) and three furostanol saponins (11-13). Structures of compounds 1-5 and 11-13 were determined by spectroscopic analysis and the results of hydrolytic cleavage. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells.

Steroidal glycosides from Agave utahensis and their cytotoxic activity.

Eight new spirostanol saponins (1-8) and three new furostanol saponins (9-11) were isolated from the whole plants of Agave utahensis. The structures of 1-11 were determined by analysis of extensive spectroscopic data. The saponins were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells. Compound 1 showed cytotoxicity against HL-60 cells with an IC(50) value of 4.9 microg/mL, induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells, and markedly activated caspase-3.