Research from Wuhan University of Science and Technology Yields New Data on Pharmaceutical Biology (Saponins from Panax japonicus improve neuronal mitochondrial injury of aging rats).

A recent study conducted by researchers at Wuhan University of Science and Technology explored the potential neuroprotective effects of saponins from Panax japonicus (SPJ) on aging rats. The study found that SPJ improved neuronal degeneration and mitochondrial morphology associated with aging. In addition, SPJ up-regulated the protein levels of mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) and optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) while down-regulating the protein level of dynamin-like protein 1 (Drp1) in the hippocampus of aging rats. The researchers suggest that further research on the elderly population could contribute to the development and utilization of SPJ for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. [Extracted from the article]