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Published on: August 14, 2015
Astragaloside IV inhibits spontaneous synaptic transmission and synchronized Ca2+ oscillations on hippocampal neurons
Shao-qing Zhu1, Lei Qi, Yan-fang Rui
1Department of Biological Science and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
Aim:
To investigate the changes in the spontaneous neuronal excitability induced by astragaloside IV (AGS-IV) in the cultured hippocampal network.
Methods:
Hippocampal neurons in culture for 9-11 d were used for this study. The spontaneous synaptic activities of these hippocampal neurons were examined by Ca2+ imaging and whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. In total, 40 mg/L AGS-IV dissolved in DMSO and 2 mL/L DMSO were applied to the neurons under a microscope while the experiments were taking place.
Results:
AGS-IV inhibited the frequencies of synchronized spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations to 59.39%+/- 3.25%(mean+/-SEM), the spontaneous postsynaptic currents to 43.78%+/- 7.72%(mean+/-SEM), and the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents to 49.25%+/- 7.06%(mean+/-SEM) of those of the control periods, respectively, at 16 min after the AGSIV applications. AGS-IV also decreased the peak values of the voltage-gated K+ and Na+ channel currents at that time point.
Conclusion:
These results indicate that AGS-IV suppresses the spontaneous neuronal excitabilities effectively. Such a modulation of neuronal activity could represent new evidence for AGS-IV as a neuroprotector.
