RESUMEN
The ginsenosides have many pharmacological actions, including various actions on the nervous system. Our previous studies have demonstrated that two ginsenosides, Rb(1) and Rg(1) improve performance in a passive avoidance-learning paradigm and enhance cholinergic metabolism. The present study was designed to examine the cellular neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions of two pure ginsenosides in two model systems. PC12 cells were grown in the absence or presence of nerve growth factor (NGF) as a positive control, and different concentrations of Rb(1) or Rg(1). To assess neurotrophic properties, neurite outgrowth was quantified for representative fields of cells. After 8 days in culture, both ginsenosides enhanced neurite outgrowth in the presence of a sub-optimal dose of (2 ng/ml) NGF, but did not significantly stimulate neurite outgrowth in the absence of NGF. However, after 18 days in culture, both ginsenosides increased neurite outgrowth in the absence of NGF. SN-K-SH cells were grown in the absence or presence of MPTP or beta-amyloid to assess neuroprotection. Rb(1) and Rg(1) both reversed MPTP-induced cell death. beta-Amyloid-induced cell death was not reversed by either ginsenoside, but Rg(1) produced a modest enhancement of cell death in this model. These results suggest that these two ginsenosides have neurotrophic and selective neuroprotective actions that may contribute to the purported enhancement of cognitive function.
Asunto(s)
Neuritas/efectos de los fármacos , Fármacos Neuroprotectores/farmacología , Saponinas/farmacología , 1-Metil-4-fenil-1,2,3,6-Tetrahidropiridina/farmacología , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/farmacología , Animales , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , División Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Línea Celular , Supervivencia Celular , Dopaminérgicos/farmacología , Interacciones Farmacológicas , Medicamentos Herbarios Chinos , Ginsenósidos , Humanos , Modelos Biológicos , Factor de Crecimiento Nervioso/farmacología , Células PC12 , Panax , Fragmentos de Péptidos/farmacología , Fitoterapia , Raíces de Plantas/uso terapéutico , RatasRESUMEN
Medical illustrators offer a unique and valuable contribution to scientific, medical, and health publications. However, they are not always properly acknowledged. This issue existed in the 16th century when Andreas Vesalius produced his revolutionary atlas the Fabrica and failed to recognize his artistic colleagues. This essay examines the atlases by Vesalius, Bernhard Siegfried Albinus, and William Hunter and the historical contexts in which they were produced, in order to reach some understanding of why the creators of the timeless illustrations contained in these atlases did not receive greater recognition.