Abstract
We tested the herbal extract 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyra-zine (TMP) for possible therapeutic efficacy against a glioma cell line and against gliomas transplanted into rat brains. In the cultured glioma cells, 50 μM TMP significantly inhibited glutamate-induced increase in intracellular calcium. Significant cell damage (30%) and proliferation suppression (10%), however, occurred only at higher concentrations (200-400 μM). Glioma-neuronal co-culturing resulted in significant neuronal damage and higher proliferation of the glioma cells (140%) compared with single cultures. Low concentrations of TMP (≤200 μM) attenuated the neuronal damage, suppressed glioma migration, and decreased glioma proliferation in the neuronal-glioma co-culture. Gliomas transplanted into the frontal cortical area exhibited high proliferation, with untreated rats dying 10-23 days later. TMP treatment inhibited tumor growth and significantly extended survival time. The results indicate that TMP can suppress glioma activity, including growth, and protect neurons against glioma-induced excitotoxicity, suggesting that TMP may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of malignant gliomas.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 139-152 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Neuro-Oncology |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Calcium
- Excitotoxicity
- Glioblastoma multiforme
- Tetramethylpyrazine
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Clinical Neurology
- Cancer Research