Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Morphometric Analyses of Retinal Sections
Published on: February 19, 2012
Nardostachys jatamansi Extract and Nardosinone Exert Neuroprotective Effects by Suppressing Glucose Metabolic
Congyan Duan1, Weifang Lin1, Mingjie Zhang1
1School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Road, Jinghai Dist., Tianjin 301617, China.
Background:
Nardostachys jatamansi DC. (Gansong), a widely utilized herb in traditional Chinese medicine, has been historically employed in the management of various neuropsychiatric disorders. Nardosinone (Nar), a sesquiterpenoid compound, has been identified as one of the principal bioactive constituents of N. jatamansi. This study investigated the effects of ethyl acetate extract (NJ-1A) from N. jatamansi and its active constituent nardosinone on neuroinflammatory mediator release, glucose metabolic reprogramming, and T cell migration using both in vitro and in vivo experimental models.
Methods:
Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced BV-2 microglial cells and a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine/probenecid (MPTP/p)-induced male C57BL/6N mouse chronic model of Parkinson's disease were applied.
Results:
Both NJ-1A and Nar could significantly suppress LPS-induced production of M1 pro-inflammatory factors or markers in microglia and could inhibit the glycolytic process and promote oxidative phosphorylation via the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, they exhibited the capacity to attenuate chemokine release from activated microglia, consequently reducing T cell migration. In vivo experiments revealed that NJ-1A and Nar effectively inhibited microglial activation, diminished T cell infiltration, and mitigated the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of MPTP-induced mice.
Conclusions:
NJ-1A and nardosinone exert neuroprotective effects through the modulation of microglial polarization states, regulation of metabolic reprogramming, and suppression of T cell infiltration.
Related Concept Videos
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Acarbose and miglitol are typically...

