Protective effect of Shenqi-wan and its fractions on N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced excitotoxicity in rat hippocampus

Shenqi-wan, Oriental herbal medicine formulation, has traditionally been used for the treatment ofdelayed mental and physical development in children, complications of diabetes, andglomerulonephritis. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of the aqueousextract of Shenqi-wan and its fractions against N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced exitotoxicity in rathippocampal CA1 neurons. Fractions were elucidated at 0 - 10 min, 11 - 20 min, and 21 - 30 min byusing gravity column chromatography method. In the present results, treatment with NMDA oncultured hippocampal slices induced neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region. Pre-treatment with the Shenqi-wan did not exerted protective effect, however its fractions suppressedNMDA-induced neuronal damage. The fraction elucidated at 11 - 20 min showed the most potentprotective effect. These results revealed that effective substances of the Shenqi-wan againstNMDA-induced excitotoxicity may exist mainly in the fraction elucidated at 11 - 20 min.Key words: Shenqi-wan; Fractions; N-methyl-D-aspartate; Hippocampus; CA1 region