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. 2013 Fall;4(4):329-33.

Ecstasy-induced caspase expression alters following ginger treatment

Sara Soleimani Asl  1 , Bagher Pourheydar  2 , Fataneh Dabaghian  3 , Akram Nezhadi  4 , Amir Roointan  5 , Mehdi Mehdizadeh  6
Affiliations

Ecstasy-induced caspase expression alters following ginger treatment

Sara Soleimani Asl et al. Basic Clin Neurosci. 2013 Fall.

Abstract

Introduction: Exposure to 3-4, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) leads to cell death. Herein, we studied the protective effects of ginger on MDMA- induced apoptosis.

Methods: 15 Sprague dawley male rats were administrated with 0, 10 mg/kg MDMA, or MDMA along with 100mg/kg ginger, IP for 7 days. Brains were removed to study the caspase 3, 8, and 9 expressions in the hippocampus by RT-PCR. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16 software using the one-way ANOVA test.

Results: MDMA treatment resulted in a significant increase in caspase 3, 8, and 9 as compared to the sham group (p < 0.001). Ginger administration however, appeared to significantly decrease the same (p < 0.001).

Discussion: Our findings suggest that ginger consumption may lead to the improvement of MDMA-induced neurotoxicity.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Caspase; Ginger; MDMA.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
RT-PCR analysis of the caspase-3 expression in sham and treatment groups. A significant difference in the caspase-3 expression between sham and other groups was noted ( ap < 0.001 vs. sham). Administration of ginger down-regulated the caspase-3 expression (b p < 0.001 vs. MDMA group).
Figure 2
Figure 2
RT-PCR analysis of the caspase-8 expression in sham and treatment groups. MDMA treatment led to a significant increase in the caspae-9 expression ( ap < 0.001 vs. sham). Administration of ginger down-regulated the caspase-9 expression (b p < 0.001 vs. MDMA group).
Figure 3
Figure 3
RT-PCR analysis of the caspase-9 expression in sham and treatment groups. Exposure to MDMA caused an increase in the caspae-8 expression ( ap < 0.001 vs. sham). Administration of ginger down-regulated the caspase-8 expression (b p < 0.001 vs. MDMA group).
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