Oroxylin A, a flavonoid, stimulates adult neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus region of mice

Neurochem Res. 2010 Nov;35(11):1725-32. doi: 10.1007/s11064-010-0235-y. Epub 2010 Aug 1.

Abstract

Previously, we reported the cognitive enhancing effects of oroxylin A in unimpaired mice and its memory ameliorating activity in various memory impaired mice. To elucidate the mechanism mediating the cognitive effects of oroxylin A, this study examined the consequences of oroxylin A administration on neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus using immunostaining for 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. In addition, we determined whether the new cells adopted a neuronal or glial fate by examining the co-localization of BrdU staining with neuronal or glial markers. Administration of oroxylin A in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner increased the number of BrdU-incorporating cells. Moreover, the percentage of BrdU-incorporating cells co-localized with neuronal markers, neuronal nuclei, was significantly increased by the oroxylin A administration. These results suggest that the increased neurogenesis induced by the administration of oroxylin A could be, at least in part, associated with its positive effects on cognitive processing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bromodeoxyuridine / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dentate Gyrus / drug effects
  • Dentate Gyrus / physiology*
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Neurogenesis / drug effects*

Substances

  • Flavonoids
  • 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-2-phenylchromen-4-one
  • Bromodeoxyuridine