Evaluation of Toyama original brand formulation about scavenging effect for reactive oxygen species and protective activity on nitric oxide donor-induced neuronal death

The present study was performed to evaluate Toyama original brand formulation A and B about the scavenging activity for superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical by using electron spin resonance method and protective activity against nitric oxide (NO) donor-induced neuronal death in cultured cerebellar granule cells. As a result, both formulation A and B showed strong radical scavenging effects. It appeared that Corydalis turtschaninovii Besser forma yanhuso Y.H.CHOU et C.C.HSU and Magnolia obovata THUNBERG which were not contained in prescription B, had strong scavenging activities for superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical with the analysis for constituents of the formulations. Furthermore, both formulation A and B had protective effects against NO donor-induced neuronal death in cultured cerebeller granule cells. The protective effect of formulation A was somewhat stronger than that of formulation B. Corydalis turtschaninovii and Magnolia obovata also had protective activities against NO-mediated neuronal death. From these findings, Toyama original brand formulation A may be more useful than formulation B for maintaining and improving health.