Adaptogens (ADAPT-232) stimulate neuropeptide Y expression in neuroglia cells

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a stress hormone widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous system. Human studies have revealed a role for NPY in „buffering“ the harmful effects of stress (adaptation to stress) [1,2].There is a plethora of pre-clinical and clinical evidence suggesting a mood and cognitive performance improving action for NPY [3,4]. Higher levels of NPY have been observed in soldiers who either present reduced psychological distress or belong to special forces [2]. In contrast, decreased levels of NPY were observed in depression and in brain tissues of suicide victims [1]. Our study for the first time provides evidence that adaptogens, specifically ADAPT-232– a fixed combination of Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim. root extract SHE-2, Schisandra chinensis K.Koch berry extract, Rhodiola rosea L. root extract SHR-5 stimulate the expression of NPY, heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1) and release of the heat shock protein (Hsp72) in isolated neurolgia cells. Pre-treatment of human neuroglia cells with NPY-siRNA or HSF1-siRNA (which silences the expression of intracellular NPY and HSF-1 respectively), before treatment with ADAPT-232 resulted in a significant suppression of Hsp72 release.

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2. Morgan III CA et al. (2002) Biol Psychiatry 52: 136–142; Morgan III CA et al. (2000) Biol Psychiatry 47: 902–909.

3. Redrobe JP et al., (2002) Life Sci 71:2921–37.

4. Fletcher MA et al. (2010) Behav Brain Funct 6:76–85