A Chemically Standardized Extract of Ziziphus jujuba Fruit (Jujube) Stimulates Expressions of Neurotrophic Factors and Anti‐oxidant Enzymes in Cultured Astrocytes
Chen J, Yan AL, Lam KYC, Lam CTW, Li N, Yao P, Xiong A, Dong TTX, Tsim KWK · Phytotherapy Research · 2014 July 28
DOI 10.1002/ptr.5202
Objective
To study the impact of a water extract of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (jujube) on neurotrophic factors and anti-oxidant enzymes in cultured astrocytes.
Conclusions
Jujube water extract, applied to cultured astrocytes, stimulated the expression of neurotrophic factors (nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor) in a concentration-dependent manner, with the induction attenuated by a protein kinase A inhibitor (H89). Additionally, the treatment induced the transcriptional expressions of anti-oxidant enzymes, suggesting the potential benefits of jujube in regulating neurotrophic factors and anti-oxidant enzymes in astrocytes.
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Insights
Jujube fruit promotes the growth of nerve cells and boosts anti-oxidant enzyme production in brain cells.
The methodology focused on the application of a water extract from the jujube fruit to cultured astrocytes (star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord) and observing any resulting changes over a 24-hour period. Researchers utilized a protein kinase A inhibitor, H89, to ascertain if it lessened the apparent jujube-induced expression of neurotrophic factors, assessed in a concentration-dependent manner.
In the discussion of results, it was established that the jujube extract effectively stimulated the expression of several key neurotrophic factors including nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor. These are pivotal in neural survival, growth, and differentiation. Concurrently, the extract also enhanced the transcriptional expressions of various significant enzymes responsible for anti-oxidation in a comparable concentration-dependent manner, indicating that jujube not only contributes to neural growth but also fosters the astrocytes' resistance to oxidative stress.
