Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the neuritogenic effects of aqueous extracts from the fruiting bodies of Morchella importuna (MEA). 3-(4, 5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was carried out to assess the cytotoxicity of MEA. Neurite outgrowth stimulation assay was used to evaluate the potentiation of neuritogenic activity induced by MEA. The specific inhibitors for TrkA, MEK/ERK and PI3K signaling pathway were served to clarify the mechanism of MEA's neuritogenic effects. It was shown that MEA could mimic neuritogenic activity of NGF, a kind of representative neurotrophic factors with no significant cytotoxicity, and stimulate neurite outgrowth in a dose-dependent manner of PC12 cells. The neuritogenic activity induced by MEA required activity of PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK1/2 signaling pathways, as well as parts of TrkA receptor. Accordingly, MEA could be used as a promising neuritogenic-stimulation compound for nervous diseases treatment.