Gastrodin

J Neurosci Res. 2003 Feb 15;71(4):534-43.

Gastrodin decreases immunoreactivities of gamma-aminobutyric acid shunt enzymes in the hippocampus of seizure-sensitive gerbils.[Pubmed: 12548709 ]

Gastrodin is one of the natural compound isolated from Gastrodia elata and has known anticonvulsant effects, although the exact pharmacological principles of this natural compound and its effects on other aspects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism in vivo have not been explored.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Therefore, in the present study, the effects of Gastrodin on GABA metabolism in the gerbil hippocampus were examined, in an effort to identify the antiepileptic characteristics of this substance. Gastrodin reduced the seizure score in the treated group, although the immunoreactivities of GABA synthetic enzymes and GABA transporters were unaltered in Gastrodin-treated animals. Interestingly, in the Gastrodin-treated group, GABA transaminase (GABA-T) immunoreactivity in the hippocampus, particularly in neurons, was significantly decreased. In the Gastrodin-treated group, both succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) and succinic semialdehyde reductase (SSAR) immunoreactivities in the hippocampus was also decreased significantly, which stood in contrast to the nontreated group, in which strong SSADH and SSAR immunoreactivities were detected.
CONCLUSIONS:
From the neuroanatomical viewpoint, these findings suggest that Gastrodin may cause the elevation of GABA concentration by inhibiting the GABA shunt.

2017 Oct 18;10(10):1483-1489.

Gastrodin protects retinal ganglion cells through inhibiting microglial-mediated neuroinflammation in an acute ocular hypertension model[Pubmed: 29062764]

Aim: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of Gastrodin on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in an acute ocular hypertension (AOH) rat model and to identify its possible mechanism. Methods: AOH rat model was performed in a randomly selected eye by anterior chamber perfusion and either received an intraperitoneal injection with various concentrations of Gastrodin or normal saline. After 2wk, the rats were sacrificed. FluoroGold was used to label survival RGCs. Immunostaining with anti-Iba1 in the retinal flat mounts to calculate the microglia density in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). Changes in microglial cytokines, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) were examined with Western blot and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Expression levels of total and phosphorylated p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) were determined by Western blot. Results: Results showed that AOH induced significant loss of RGCs and severe microglia activation in the GCL. Besides, AOH increased the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and promoted the release of microglial cytokines in the retinas. Intraperitoneal injection with dose-dependent Gastrodin significantly reduced the loss of RGCs and inhibited retinal microglia activation, accompanied with the decreased expression levels of microglial cytokines and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Conclusion: Gastrodin exerts a neuroprotective effect on RGCs in an acute glaucoma animal model via inhibiting microglia activation and microglial-mediated neuroinflammation. The finding demonstrates the potential application of Gastrodin in the neuroprotective therapy of acute glaucoma and other retinal neurodegenerative diseases characterized by microglia activation and RGCs death. Keywords: acute ocular hypertension; Gastrodin; microglia; neuroinflammation; retina ganglion cells.

Bone. 2015 Apr;73:132-44.

Gastrodin: an ancient Chinese herbal medicine as a source for anti-osteoporosis agents via reducing reactive oxygen species.[Pubmed: 25554600]

Increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a crucial pathogenic factor of osteoporosis. Gastrodin, isolated from the traditional Chinese herbal agent Gastrodia elata, is a potent antioxidant. We hypothesized that Gastrodin demonstrates protective effects against osteoporosis by partially reducing reactive oxygen species in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs) and a macrophage cell line (RAW264.7 cells).
METHODS AND RESULTS:
We investigated Gastrodin on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation under oxidative stress in hBMMSCs. We also tested Gastrodin on osteoclastic differentiation in RAW264.7 cells. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was used to establish an oxidative cell injury model. Our results showed that Gastrodin significantly promoted the proliferation of hBMMSCs, improved some osteogenic markers, reduced lipid generation and inhibited the mRNA expression of several adipogenic genes in hBMMSCs. Moreover, Gastrodin reduced the number of osteoclasts, TRAP activity and the expression of osteoclast-specific genes in RAW264.7 cells. Gastrodin suppressed the production of reactive oxygen species in both hBMMSCs and RAW264.7 cells. In vivo, we established a murine ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporosis model. Our data revealed that Gastrodin treatment reduced the activity of serum bone degradation markers, such as CTX-1 and TRAP. Importantly, it ameliorated the micro-architecture of trabecular bones. Gastrodin decreased osteoclast numbers in vivo by TRAP staining.
CONCLUSIONS:
To conclude, these results indicated that Gastrodin shows protective effects against osteoporosis linking to a reduction in reactive oxygen species, suggesting that Gastrodin may be useful in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Neurochem Res. 2015 Apr;40(4):661-73.

Gastrodin alleviates cerebral ischemic damage in mice by improving anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation activities and inhibiting apoptosis pathway.[Pubmed: 25582916 ]

Gastrodin (GAS), an active constituent of the Chinese herbal medicine Tianma, has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation activities but its protective effect to the prevention of neurotoxicity induced by ischemic stroke is unclear.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
In the present study, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was used to establish a mice ischemic stroke model. Infarct volume ratio and neurobehavioral score were evaluated, Nissl staining was performed and the expression of cleaved Caspase 3, Bax and B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) were assessed at 24 h or 7 days after reperfusion. In addition, the total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, as well as the expression of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), SOD1, phospho-Akt and total Akt and TNF-α and IL-1β in the ischemic hemispheres were also observed at 6 h after reperfusion to assess oxidative stress and inflammatory changes after GAS treatment. It was found that GAS, especially at high dose (100 mg/kg) reduced tested neuronal injury and neurobehavioral deficient in MCAO mice. Enhanced expression of cleaved Caspase 3 and Bax and decreased expression of Bcl-2 by MCAO were also reversed by GAS. Moreover, GAS treatment decreased the MDA content and the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β, and increased amount of SOD activity and the expression of HO-1 and SOD1 in GAS-treated ischemic brain. Furthermore, GAS significantly increased Akt phosphorylation and Nrf2 expression.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results support the neuroprotective effects of GAS, and the activation of Akt/Nrf2 pathway may play a critical role in the pharmacological action of GAS.

Neurochem Int. 2014 Sep;75:79-88.

Gastrodin protects against MPP(+)-induced oxidative stress by up regulates heme oxygenase-1 expression through p38 MAPK/Nrf2 pathway in human dopaminergic cells.[Pubmed: 24932697]

Although the etiology of PD remains unclear, increasing evidence has shown that oxidative stress plays an important role in its pathogenesis and that of other neurodegenerative disorders. The phenolic glucoside Gastrodin, a main constituent of a Chinese herbal medicine Gastrodia elata (GE) Blume, has been known to display antioxidant activity.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Gastrodin on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+))-induced oxidative cytotoxicity in human dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells and the underlying mechanism for this neuroprotection. Results indicate that pre-treatment with Gastrodin for 1h significantly reduced the MPP(+)-induced viability loss, apoptotic rate and attenuated MPP(+)-mediated ROS production. In addition, Gastrodin inhibited MPP(+)-induced lowered membrane potential, decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Moreover, we have revealed the Gastrodin increased Nrf2 nuclear translocation, which is upstream of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and for the first time revealed Gastrodin could increased antioxidant enzyme HO-1 expression in concentration-dependent and time-dependent manners. HO-1 siRNA transfection was employed, and confirmed Gastrodin could active the expression of HO-1. And the increase in HO-1 expression was correlated with the protective effect of Gastrodin against MPP(+)-induced injury. Because the inhibitor of HO-1 activity, ZnPP reversed the protective effect of Gastrodin against MPP(+)-induced cell death. We also demonstrated that the specific p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, concentration-dependently blocked on Gastrodin-induced HO-1 expression, and meanwhile SB203580 reversed the protective effect of Gastrodin against MPP(+)-induced cell death.
CONCLUSIONS:
Taken together, these findings suggest that Gastrodin can induce HO-1 expression through activation of p38 MAPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway, thereby protecting the SH-SY5Y cells from MPP(+)-induced oxidative cell death. Thus our study indicates that Gastrodin has a partial cytoprotective role in dopaminergic cell culture systems and could be of importance for the treatment of PD and other oxidative stress-related diseases.

Biochem Pharmacol. 2013 Apr 15;85(8):1124-33.

Gastrodin attenuation of the inflammatory response in H9c2 cardiomyocytes involves inhibition of NF-κB and MAPKs activation via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling.[Pubmed: 23376120 ]

The phenolic glucoside Gastrodin, a main constituent of a Chinese traditional herbal medicine, has been known to display several biological and pharmacological properties. However, the role and precise molecular mechanisms explaining how Gastrodin suppresses the inflammatory response in septic cardiac dysfunction are unknown.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
To study this, rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes were treated with Gastrodin and/or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Our results showed that Gastrodin treatment strongly suppressed nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) family activation and upregulation of the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in LPS-stimulated H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Simultaneously, Gastrodin obviously upregulated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)/Akt signaling in a dose-dependent manner. However, wortmannin, a specific PI3-K inhibitor, blocked the inhibitory effects of Gastrodin on LPS-stimulated H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, PI3-K/Akt inhibition partially abolished the inhibitory effects of Gastrodin on the phosphorylation of inhibitor κB-α (IκB-α), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and activity of NF-κB.
CONCLUSIONS:
Here we report activation of the PI3-K/Akt signaling by Gastrodin and that inhibition of this pathway reverses the inhibitory effects of Gastrodin on NF-κB and MAPKs activation in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.

Neurosci Lett. 2015 May 6;594:40-5.

Ameliorative effect of gastrodin on 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile-induced memory impairment in rats.[Pubmed: 25817367]

3,3'-Iminodipropionitrile (IDPN), one of the nitrile derivatives inducing neurotoxicity, causes the dyskinetic syndrome and cognitive impairment. Gastrodin is widely used to treat neurological disorders and showed to improve cognitive functions.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
The present study aimed to determine whether treatment with Gastrodin can attenuate IDPN-induced impairment of memory consolidation in the passive avoidance (PA) task, and to explore the possible neural mechanisms. Our results showed that intragastric administration of Gastrodin (200mg/kg) reversed the IDPN-induced impairment of memory consolidation as indicated by the prolonged retention latency in the PA task. Furthermore, Gastrodin reverted IDPN-induced reduction of serotonin (5-HT) and elevation of serotonin turnover ratio. Gastrodin treatment prevented the increase of serotonin transporter (SERT) and the decrease of serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptor expression in the hippocampus of IDPN-treated rats.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results suggest that long-term Gastrodin treatment could represent a novel pharmacological strategy for IDPN-induced memory impairment, as well that its protective effect is mediated through normalization of the serotoninergic system.

PLoS One. 2012;7(6):e39647.

Gastrodin inhibits allodynia and hyperalgesia in painful diabetic neuropathy rats by decreasing excitability of nociceptive primary sensory neurons.[Pubmed: 22761855 ]

Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus and adversely affects the patients' quality of life. Evidence has accumulated that PDN is associated with hyperexcitability of peripheral nociceptive primary sensory neurons. However, the precise cellular mechanism underlying PDN remains elusive. This may result in the lacking of effective therapies for the treatment of PDN. The phenolic glucoside, Gastrodin, which is a main constituent of the Chinese herbal medicine Gastrodia elata Blume, has been widely used as an anticonvulsant, sedative, and analgesic since ancient times. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying its analgesic actions are not well understood.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
By utilizing a combination of behavioral surveys and electrophysiological recordings, the present study investigated the role of Gastrodin in an experimental rat model of STZ-induced PDN and to further explore the underlying cellular mechanisms. Intraperitoneal administration of Gastrodin effectively attenuated both the mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia induced by STZ injection. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were obtained from nociceptive, capsaicin-sensitive small diameter neurons of the intact dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Recordings from diabetic rats revealed that the abnormal hyperexcitability of neurons was greatly abolished by application of GAS. To determine which currents were involved in the antinociceptive action of Gastrodin, we examined the effects of Gastrodin on transient sodium currents (I(NaT)) and potassium currents in diabetic small DRG neurons. Diabetes caused a prominent enhancement of I(NaT) and a decrease of potassium currents, especially slowly inactivating potassium currents (I(AS)); these effects were completely reversed by GAS in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, changes in activation and inactivation kinetics of I(NaT) and total potassium current as well as I(AS) currents induced by STZ were normalized by GAS.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study provides a clear cellular basis for the peripheral analgesic action of Gastrodin for the treatment of chronic pain, including PDN.