Debora Olioso1, Marta Marzotto2, Elisabetta Moratti3, Maurizio Brizzi4, Paolo Bellavite5. 1. Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy. Electronic address: debora.olioso@univr.it. 2. Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy. Electronic address: marta.marzotto@univr.it. 3. Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy. Electronic address: elisabetta.moratti@univr.it. 4. Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via delle Belle Arti 41, 40126 Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: maurizio.brizzi@unibo.it. 5. Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy. Electronic address: paolo.bellavite@univr.it.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gelsemium sempervirens L. is a traditional medicinal plant mainly distributed in the southeastern of the United States, employed in phytotheraphy and homeopathy as nervous system relaxant to treat various types of anxiety, pain, headache and other ailments. Although animal models showed its effectiveness, the mechanisms by which it might operate on the nervous system are largely unknown. This study investigated for the first time by a real-time PCR technique (RT-PCR Array) the gene expression of a panel of human neurotransmitter receptors and regulators, involved in neuronal excitatory signaling, on a neurocyte cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were exposed for 24h to Gelsemium sempervirens at 2c and 9c dilutions (i.e. 2 and 9-fold centesimal dilutions from mother tincture) and the gene expression profile compared to that of cells treated with control vehicle solutions. RESULTS: Exposure to the Gelsemium sempervirens 2c dilution, containing a nanomolar concentration of active principle gelsemine, induced a down-regulation of most genes of this array. In particular, the treated cells showed a statistically significant decrease of the prokineticin receptor 2, whose ligand is a neuropeptide involved in nociception, anxiety and depression-like behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results indicate a negative modulation trend in neuronal excitatory signaling, which can suggest new working hypotheses on the anxiolytic and analgesic action of this plant.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gelsemium sempervirens L. is a traditional medicinal plant mainly distributed in the southeastern of the United States, employed in phytotheraphy and homeopathy as nervous system relaxant to treat various types of anxiety, pain, headache and other ailments. Although animal models showed its effectiveness, the mechanisms by which it might operate on the nervous system are largely unknown. This study investigated for the first time by a real-time PCR technique (RT-PCR Array) the gene expression of a panel of human neurotransmitter receptors and regulators, involved in neuronal excitatory signaling, on a neurocyte cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were exposed for 24h to Gelsemium sempervirens at 2c and 9c dilutions (i.e. 2 and 9-fold centesimal dilutions from mother tincture) and the gene expression profile compared to that of cells treated with control vehicle solutions. RESULTS: Exposure to the Gelsemium sempervirens 2c dilution, containing a nanomolar concentration of active principle gelsemine, induced a down-regulation of most genes of this array. In particular, the treated cells showed a statistically significant decrease of the prokineticin receptor 2, whose ligand is a neuropeptide involved in nociception, anxiety and depression-like behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results indicate a negative modulation trend in neuronal excitatory signaling, which can suggest new working hypotheses on the anxiolytic and analgesic action of this plant.
Authors: Marta Marzotto; Clara Bonafini; Debora Olioso; Anna Baruzzi; Laura Bettinetti; Francesca Di Leva; Elisabetta Galbiati; Paolo Bellavite Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-11-10 Impact factor: 3.240