Indonesian Ginger (Bangle) Extract Promotes Neurogenesis of Human Neural Stem Cells through WNT Pathway Activation

• Main Authors: Kazumi Hirano, Miwa Kubo, Yoshiyasu Fukuyama, Masakazu Namihira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: neural stem cells; human neurogenesis; <i>Zingiber purpureum</i>; Banglene; WNT signaling; histone deacetylase
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/13/4772

Indonesian ginger (<i>Zingiber purpureum</i> Rosc.), also known as Bangle, exhibits neurotrophic effects on cultured murine cortical neurons and in the adult mouse brain, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, using human fetal neural stem cells (hfNSCs) as a model system for in vitro human neurogenesis, we show that Bangle extracts activate canonical WNT/β-catenin signaling. Bangle extract-treatment of hfNSCs not only promoted neuronal differentiation, but also accelerated neurite outgrowth from immature neurons. Furthermore, Bangle extracts induced expression of neurogenic genes and WNT signaling-target genes, and facilitated the accumulation of β-catenin in nuclei of hfNSC. Interestingly, altered histone modifications were also observed in Bangle-treated hfNSCs. Together, these findings demonstrate that Bangle contributes to hfNSC neurogenesis by WNT pathway and epigenetic regulation.