Browsing by Author "Hancke, J. L."

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    Andrographis paniculata decreases fatigue in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a 12-month double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study
    (2016) Bertoglio, J. C.; Baumgartner, M.; Palma Vásquez, Ramón Eduardo; Ciampi, Ethel; Cárcamo, Claudia; Cáceres, D. D.; Acosta-Jamett, G.; Hancke, J. L.; Burgos, R. A.
    Abstract Background Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata), a medicinal plant, has shown anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and antifibrotic effects in animal models as well as clinical efficacy in different studies, including an anti-fatigue effect in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In multiple sclerosis (MS), fatigue is rated as one of the most common and disabling symptoms. In the present trial, we investigated the effect of A. paniculata on relapse rate and fatigue in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients receiving interferon beta. Methods A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial assessed the effects of 170 mg of A. paniculata dried extract tablet b.i.d. p.o. on relapse rate and fatigue using the Fatigue Severity Scores (FSS) over 12 months in RRMS patients receiving interferon. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, inflammatory parameters and radiological findings were also investigated. Twenty-five patients were enrolled, and twenty-two patients were ultimately analysed and randomised to the active or placebo group. Results Patients treated with A. paniculata showed a significant reduction in their FSS score as compared to the placebo, equivalent to a 44 % reduction at 12 months. No statistically significant differences were observed for relapse rate, EDSS or inflammatory parameters, with a trend in reducing new lesions among the A. paniculata group. One patient in the A. paniculata group presented with a mild and transient skin rash, which was alleviated with anti-histamine treatment for three weeks. Conclusion A. paniculata was well tolerated in patients and no changes in clinical parameters were observed. A. paniculata significantly reduces fatigue in patients with RRMS receiving interferon beta in comparison to placebo and only interferon beta treatment. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02280876 ; Trial registration date: 20.10.2014.
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    Tetrahydrohyperforin prevents cognitive deficit, Aβ deposition, tau phosphorylation and synaptotoxicity in the APPswe/PSEN1ΔE9 model of Alzheimer's disease: a possible effect on APP processing
    (2011) Inestrosa, N. C.; Tapia-Rojas, C.; Griffith, T. N.; Carvajal, F. J.; Benito, M. J.; Rivera-Dictter, A.; Alvarez, A. R.; Serrano, F. G.; Hancke, J. L.; Burgos, P. V.; Parodi, J.; Varela-Nallar, L.
    Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive deterioration of cognitive abilities, amyloid-beta peptide (A beta) accumulation and synaptic alterations. Previous studies indicated that hyperforin, a component of the St John's Wort, prevents A beta neurotoxicity and some behavioral impairments in a rat model of AD. In this study we examined the ability of tetrahydrohyperforin (IDN5607), a stable hyperforin derivative, to prevent the cognitive deficit and synaptic impairment in an in vivo model of AD. In double transgenic APPswe/PSEN1DE9 mice, IDN5706 improves memory and prevents the impairment of synaptic plasticity in a dose-dependent manner, inducing a recovery of long-term potentiation. In agreement with these findings, IDN5706 prevented the decrease in synaptic proteins in hippocampus and cortex. In addition, decreased levels of tau hyperphosphorylation, astrogliosis, and total fibrillar and oligomeric forms of A beta were determined in double transgenic mice treated with IDN5706. In cultured cells, IDN5706 decreased the proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein that leads to A beta peptide generation. These findings indicate that IDN5706 ameliorates AD neuropathology and could be considered of therapeutic relevance in AD treatment.