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Published on: July 12, 2012
[An experimental study on distribution of musk into the brain through blood brain barrier]
Wen-Kai Chen1, Yu-Fang Huang, Hai-Dong Wang
1Division of Zang-fu Organs' Research, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China. cwenkai@public1.ptt.js.cn
Objective:
To study the possible pathway of the effect of musk on brain disorder, distributing into the brain through blood brain barrier.
Methods:
We used the musk ketone (muscone), a main composition of musk, to inject through the tail vein of the rats into the blood and took the brain and other organs at different times to make samples. Then gas chromatography was used to measure the distribution of muscone in the brain and other organs.
Results:
Muscone could pass through the normal rat's blood brain barrier into the brain and soon reached the highest peak and remained in higher concentration, and more slowly metabolized as compared with other organs.
Conclusion:
Musk distributing into the brain through blood brain barrier provides the basis for its effect in treating brain disorders. Chromatography is an effective method to study the active composition of Chinese herbal medicine distributing through the blood brain barrier into the brain.
Insights
Musk ketone (muscone) effectively crosses the blood-brain barrier in rats, reaching high concentrations in the brain. This distribution supports musk
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
Background:
- Musk is a traditional remedy with potential therapeutic applications for brain disorders.
- The precise mechanism of musk's action on the central nervous system remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of musk ketone (muscone) in the brain via the blood-brain barrier.
- To establish the pharmacokinetic profile of muscone in the brain and other organs.
Main Methods:
- Musk ketone (muscone) was administered intravenously to rats.
- Tissue samples from the brain and other organs were collected at various time points.
- Gas chromatography was employed to quantify muscone distribution.
Main Results:
- Muscone successfully permeated the blood-brain barrier in rats.
- The highest concentration of muscone was observed in the brain shortly after administration.
- Muscone exhibited slower metabolism in the brain compared to other organs.
Conclusions:
- The ability of musk to penetrate the blood-brain barrier provides a scientific basis for its use in treating neurological conditions.
- Gas chromatography is a viable analytical technique for studying the brain distribution of active compounds from traditional medicines.
