Int J Biochem Mol Biol 2012;3(2):219-241

Original Article
Gastrodia elata Blume (tianma) mobilizes neuro-protective capacities

Arulmani Manavalan, Umamaheswari Ramachandran, Husvinee Sundaramurthi, Manisha Mishra, Siu Kwan Sze, Jiang-Miao Hu, Zhi Wei Feng,
Klaus Heese

School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore;
Institute of Advanced Studies, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang View, Singapore 639673, Singapore; Kunming Institute of Botany,
Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, People’s Republic of China.

Received May 1, 2012; accepted May 27, 2012; Epub June 3, 2012; Published June 15, 2012

Abstract: Tianma (Gastrodia elata Blume) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) often used for the treatment of headache, convulsions,
hypertension and neurodegenerative diseases. Tianma also modulates the cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein App and cognitive
functions in mice. The neuronal actions of tianma thus led us to investigate its specific effects on neuronal signalling. Accordingly, this pilot
study was designed to examine the effects of tianma on the proteome metabolism in differentiated mouse neuronal N2a cells using an iTRAQ
(isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation)-based proteomics research approach. We identified 2178 proteins, out of which 74 were
found to be altered upon tianma treatment in differentiated mouse neuronal N2a cells. Based on the observed data obtained, we hypothesize
that tianma could promote neuro-regenerative processes by inhibiting stress-related proteins and mobilizing neuroprotective genes such as
Nxn, Dbnl, Mobkl3, Clic4, Mki67 and Bax with various regenerative modalities and capacities related to neuro-synaptic plasticity.
(IJBMB1205001).

Keywords: Aging, Tianma, Neuron, Neurodegeneration, Metabolism, Signalling, TCM


Address all correspondence to:
Dr. Klaus Heese
Institute of Advanced Studies
Nanyang Technological University
60 Nanyang View, Singapore 639673, Singapore.
Tel: +65-6316-2848; Fax: +65-6791-3856
E-mail: klaus.heese@rub.de
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