Open Access

Role of catalpol in ameliorating the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by increasing the level of noradrenaline in the locus coeruleus

  • Authors:
    • Qian Li
    • Tao Yang
    • An‑Chen Guo
    • Yong‑Ping Fan
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: January 5, 2018     https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2018.8378
  • Pages: 4163-4172
  • Copyright: © Li et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The endogenous neurotransmitter, noradrenaline, exerts anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in vivo and in vitro. Reduced noradrenaline levels results in increased inflammation and neuronal damage. The primary source of noradrenaline in the central nervous system is tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‑positive neurons, located in the locus coeruleus (LC). TH is the rate‑limiting enzyme for noradrenaline synthesis; therefore, regulation of TH protein expression and intrinsic enzyme activity represents the central means for controlling the synthesis of noradrenaline. Catalpol is an iridoid glycoside purified from Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch, which exerts a neuroprotective effect in multiple sclerosis (MS). The present study used an experimental mouse model of autoimmune encephalomyelitis to verify the neuroprotective effects of catalpol. Significant improvements in the clinical scores were observed in catalpol‑treated mice. Furthermore, catalpol increased TH expression and increased noradrenaline levels in the spinal cord. In primary cultures, catalpol exerted a neuroprotective effect in rat LC neurons by increasing the noradrenaline output. These results suggested that drugs targeting LC survival and function, including catalpol, may be able to benefit patients with MS.
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March-2018
Volume 17 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1791-2997
Online ISSN:1791-3004

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Spandidos Publications style
Li Q, Yang T, Guo AC and Fan YP: Role of catalpol in ameliorating the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by increasing the level of noradrenaline in the locus coeruleus. Mol Med Rep 17: 4163-4172, 2018
APA
Li, Q., Yang, T., Guo, A., & Fan, Y. (2018). Role of catalpol in ameliorating the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by increasing the level of noradrenaline in the locus coeruleus. Molecular Medicine Reports, 17, 4163-4172. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2018.8378
MLA
Li, Q., Yang, T., Guo, A., Fan, Y."Role of catalpol in ameliorating the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by increasing the level of noradrenaline in the locus coeruleus". Molecular Medicine Reports 17.3 (2018): 4163-4172.
Chicago
Li, Q., Yang, T., Guo, A., Fan, Y."Role of catalpol in ameliorating the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by increasing the level of noradrenaline in the locus coeruleus". Molecular Medicine Reports 17, no. 3 (2018): 4163-4172. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2018.8378