Neuroprotective Actions

Consistent with the abiUty of vinpocetine to act as an anticonvulsant is its abiUty to inhibit cellular reuptake of adenosine (15) which has been described as the brain s endogenous anticonvulsant because of its abiUty to inhibit calcium influx. Thus the property of vinpocetine to inhibit adenosine reuptake maybe responsible for the neuroprotective actions of the dmg. 

There is a definite trend of bidirectional cross-talk between opioid and chemokine receptors in the central nervous system. In vitro, as well as in vivo studies, have shown desensitization of CXCR4 by MOR and thus prevent the neuroprotective action of this chemokine. Although the precise molecular mechanism underlying this cross-talk is still under investigation, based on the evidences in literature several possible pathways can be expected to act independently or in concert and lead to the deficit of CXCR4 function. Our studies have shown that p opioids can increase the brain levels of FHC which can subsequently block CXCR4 signaling. Eurther studies... 

Marin R, Guerra B, Morales A, Diaz M, Alonso R (2003) An estrogen membrane receptor participates in the neuroprotective action of estradiol against amyloid /S-peptidei 4o-induced toxicity in SN56 neurons. J Neurochem 85 1180-1189... 

Mandel S, Weinreb O, Amit T, Cell signaling pathways in the neuroprotective actions of the green tea polyphenol (—)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, implications for neurodegenerative diseases, JNeurochem 88 1555—1569, 2004. 

There is convincing evidence that EGb and its constituents have neuroprotective actions under experimental conditions such as hypoxia/ischemia, seizure activity and nerve damage. 

Levites Y, Amit T, Youdim MB, Mandel S. 2002a. Involvement of protein kinase C activation and cell survival/ cell cycle genes in green tea polyphenol (—)-epigalloca-techin 3-gallate neuroprotective action. J Biol Chem 277 30574-30580. 

Neuroprotective Action of EGCG Does Not Involve Its Antioxidant... 

Next we evaluated a series of resveratrol analogs and catechins for their ability to compete for specific [3H]-resveratrol binding in PII fraction. Interestingly, polyphenols that display neuroprotective action are the most potent ones to compete for specific [3H]-resveratrol binding with K values ranging from 25 nM (for EGCG) to 102 nM (for resveratrol), whereas molecules including EC and EGC were inactive. 

Mode of action. The specific site of action of felbamate is unknown. There is experimental evidence that felbamate blocks NMDA receptors, but less potently than carbamazepine, ethosuximide, phenytoin or valproate. It also modulates sodium channel conductance but does not enhance GABAergic function. In addition to its protective action against chemically induced seizures felbamate has also been shown to have a neuroprotective action in models of hypoxic ischaemia as induced by bilateral carotid ligation. 

NEUROTROPHIC AND NEUROPROTECTIVE ACTIONS OF AN ENHANCER OF GANGLIOSIDE BIOSYNTHESIS... 

With regard to the protective effects observed under in vivo ischemia, the laser-doppler investigation showing no flow modification after treatment with MS rules out that rheological modifications are involved in the neuroprotective action of the drug. This is also confirmed in in vitro experiments where an in situ rescuing effect of this compound mediated by catalase was demonstrated. 

Based upon the atypical pharmacological characteristics of methyl-prednisolone s effects on the injured spinal cord and brain, it was postulated that the neuroprotective action (i.e. inhibition of lipid peroxidation and related pathophysiological events) was not glucocorticoid-receptor-mediated. Therefore, it was further reasoned it should be possible to design an analog that would lack the glucocorticoid-receptor-based actions and still retain the ability... 

Dakshinamurti, K., Sharma, S.K., and Geiger, ID. 2003. Neuroprotective actions of pyridoxine. Biochim BiophysActa 1647, 225-229. 

Mandel S, et al. Mechanism of neuroprotective action of the anti-Parkinson drug rasagiline and its derivatives. Brain Res. Brain Res. Rev. 2005 48 379-387. 

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