| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1222861 | Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis | 2012 | 5 Pages |
Realgar is a traditional Chinese medicine, which has been used for thousands of years and are claimed to have therapeutic effects. The toxicity from realgar or realgar-containing traditional medicines has raised public concern. However, the neurotoxicity induced by realgar is less reported. Amino acid neurotransmitters are closely linked to the vulnerability of the immature brain to neuronal injury. The investigation of amino acid neurotransmitters is important to understand the evolution of developmental brain damage. An improved HPLC–UV method was developed and applied to analyzing amino acid neurotransmitters of aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, homocysteine, serine, glycine, γ-aminobutyric acid and taurine in brain tissues of immature rats after the treatment of realgar. Significant changes of these amino acid neurotransmitters were observed in realgar treated groups. Negative correlations were found between the levels of some amino acids and the contents of arsenic in brain tissues. The result indicates that the neurotoxicity induced by realgar is associated with its effects on amino acid neurotransmitters.
► Changes of amino acid neurotransmitters were observed in realgar treated rats. ► The neurotoxic mechanisms of three doses realgar on immature rats are different. ► The neurotoxic effect of realgar is associated with arsenic accumulation in brain. ► The study is fundamental to the understanding of neurotoxicity induced by realgar.
