The effects of Chinese medicines on cAMP/PKA signaling in central nervous system dysfunction

Brain Res Bull. 2017 Jun:132:109-117. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.04.006. Epub 2017 Apr 21.

Abstract

Neuropathological injury in the mammalian adult central nervous system (CNS) may cause axon disruption, neuronal death and lasting neurological deficits. Failure of axon regeneration is one of the major challenges for CNS functional recovery. Recently, the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway has been proven to be a critical regulator for neuronal regeneration, neuroplasticity, learning and memory. Also, previous studies have shown the effects of Chinese medicines on the prevention and treatment of CNS dysfunction mediated in part by cAMP/PKA signaling. In this review, the authors discuss current knowledge of the role of cAMP/PKA signaling pathway in neuronal regeneration and provide an overview of the Chinese medicines that may enable CNS functional recovery via this signaling pathway.

Keywords: Chinese medicines; Cyclic AMP (cAMP); Neuronal regeneration; Protein kinase A (PKA).

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Central Nervous System Agents / pharmacology
  • Central Nervous System Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Agents
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases