Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

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Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Experimental Study

Saffron and its bioactive molecules, notably crocins, have been found to be as effective as common antidepressants in treating depression disorders.

2022 Molecules Anti-Depressant Properties of Crocin Molecules in Saffron
Siddiqui SA, Ali Redha A, Snoeck ER, Singh S, Simal-Gandara J, Ibrahim SA, Jafari SM

Chinese Medicine Research Hub

Experimental Study

Jujube fruit promotes the growth of nerve cells and boosts anti-oxidant enzyme production in brain cells.

2014 Phytotherapy Research 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

Executive Summary

Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Research into Chinese medicine treatment for Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor" summarising the research below and using language that can be easily understood by patients and avoiding medical jargon using a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Researched Chinese medicine treatments for Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor" summarising the research below in an objective and easy to understand way, and using language that can be easily understood by patients. Group the article into Chinese medicine treatments first, followed by nutrition and other treatments. Avoid using medical jargon and use a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write me a concise but easy to understand executive summary on the topic of "Chinese medicine treatments for Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor" based on the following research that I will give you. Your summary should be 2 paragraphs long in Australian English spelling and include references to the studies.

A Experimental Study published in 2022 in the journal Molecules found that Saffron and its bioactive molecules, notably crocins, have been found to be as effective as common antidepressants in treating depression disorders. The methodology of the research centered on the incredible therapeutic properties of saffron, more specifically its bioactive molecules known as crocins. These molecules were singled out as they have shown a capacity to inhibit monoamine oxidase type A and B. The researchers also conducted experiments with saffron petal extracts, observing their impact on contractile response in electrical field stimulation. There were further investigations into saffron's ability to inhibit the reuptake of monoamines, display -methyl-d-aspartate antagonism, and enhance brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling. The discussion of the results highlighted the effectiveness of saffron and its crocins in treating depressive disorders. From several experimental studies, it became apparent that saffron and crocins might perform similarly to fluoxetine and imipramine, both widely accepted antidepressant drugs. As such, the paper suggests that these natural elements found in saffron could offer an alternative treatment method for depression. The limitations, however, as highlighted in the study, were issues surrounding stability and delivery of the herbal treatment.

A Experimental Study published in 2014 in the journal Phytotherapy Research found that 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.

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