Neurotrophic effects of talaumidin, a neolignan from Aristolochia arcuata, in primary cultured rat cortical neurons.

Talaumidin, a tetrahydrofuran neolignan isolated from the root of Aristolochia arcuata, was shown to be an intriguing small molecule with neurotrophic activity in the primary culture of rat cortical neurons. Talaumidin can promote both dendrite-like and axon-like process outgrowth of cultured rat cortical neurons at the concentration range of 1-30 microm. Additionally, in the trophic withdrawal model, it can protect cell death caused by the deprivation of serum at the concentration range of 3-30 microm. These data suggest the potential of talaumidin to serve as a promising lead compound for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.