01/23/2019 / By Michelle Simmons
In traditional Asian medicines, spikenard (Nardostachys chinensis) is used as an anti-malarial, pain relief, and neurotrophic treatment. In a study published in the journal Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, spikenard was found to be a great natural anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective agent, which means that it can help prevent diseases associated to neuron cell inflammation.
Researchers from Pusan National University in Busan, Korea evaluated the neuroinflammatory protective effects of the extract of spikenard on microglial cells, which are located throughout the brain and spinal cord. The researchers induced inflammation by increasing Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in Salmonella lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or Staphylococcus aureus lipoteichoic acid (LTA)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells.
Based on the results of the study, the researchers found that the extract of spikenard suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine production and induced HO-1 transcription and translation through Nrf-2/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling.
Moreover, the extract of spikenard significantly suppressed LPS- and LTA-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappa B and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT).
In addition, the extract of spikenard protected hippocampal HT22 cells from indirect neuronal toxicity caused by LPS- and LTA-treated microglial cells. These findings indicated that spikenard extract weakens LPS- and LTA-induced neuro-inflammatory responses in microglial cells and provides protection against indirect neuronal damage to HT22 cells.
Based on the findings of the study, the researchers concluded that spikenard extract could be used to prevent diseases related to neuron cell inflammation as it acts as a natural anti-neuro-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent.
Spikenard, a common plant in the Himalayan regions and grown in China, India, Bhutan, and Nepal, is commonly used to extract spikenard essential oil. Here are some of the uses and benefits of spikenard essential oil:
Read more news stories and studies on natural anti-inflammatory agents by going to AlternativeMedicine.news.
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Tagged Under: alternative medicine, anti-inflammatory, brain health, essential oils, herbal medicine, Herbs, inflammation, natural cures, natural healing, natural medicine, natural remedies, neuroprotective, spikenard