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A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices
07:56

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Published on: August 11, 2021

Safflower extracts functionally regulate monoamine transporters.

Gang Zhao1, Xiang-Wei Zheng, Yue Gai

  • 1Cell Star Bio-Technologies Co., Limited, Building 6, Lane 898, Halei Road, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology
|June 17, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Safflower extracts (HH) activate dopamine and norepinephrine transporters while inhibiting serotonin transporters. These findings suggest HH may treat neuropsychological disorders by modulating monoamine transporter activity.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

  • Safflower (HH), from Carthamus tinctorius L., is traditionally used for neuropsychological disorders.
  • Recent studies indicate HH regulates dopamine and serotonin in rat brains.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the bioactivity of HH extracts on monoamine transporters.
  • To determine if HH modulates dopamine transporter (DAT), norepinephrine transporter (NET), and serotonin transporter (SERT) activity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized in vitro drug-screening cell lines, including Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing DAT, NET, and SERT.
  • Assessed the effects of various solvent-extracted HH fractions on monoamine uptake.

Main Results:

  • All HH fractions increased dopamine and norepinephrine uptake by DAT and NET expressing cells.
  • Chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butyl alcohol extracts inhibited serotonin uptake by SERT expressing cells.
  • Ethyl acetate extract showed stronger inhibition of SERT and activation of DAT/NET.

Conclusions:

  • HH extracts act as novel monoamine transporter modulators.
  • HH functions as DAT/NET activators and SERT inhibitors.
  • HH may improve neuropsychological disorders by regulating monoamine transporter activity.