Neural stem cell (NSC) differentiation and proliferation are important biological processes in the cerebral neural network. However, these two abilities of NSCs are limited. Thus, the induction of differentiation and/or proliferation through the administration of plant-derived small-molecule compounds could be used to repair damaged neural networks. The present study reported that gallic acid (GA), an important phenolic acid found in tea, selectively caused NSCs to differentiate into immature neurons and promoted NSC proliferation by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway. In addition, it was found that 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid was the main active structure exhibiting neurotrophic activity. The substitution of the carboxyl group on the benzene ring with the ester group may promote differentiation based on the structure of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid. Furthermore, the introduction of the 5-hydroxyl group may promote proliferation. The present study identified that GA can promote the differentiation and proliferation of NSCs in vitro and exert pharmacological activity on NSCs.

中文翻译：

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没食子酸通过 MAPK/ERK 通路诱导神经干细胞分化成神经元和增殖

神经干细胞 (NSC) 的分化和增殖是脑神经网络中重要的生物学过程。然而，NSCs 的这两种能力是有限的。因此，通过施用植物衍生的小分子化合物诱导分化和/或增殖可用于修复受损的神经网络。本研究报道，茶中发现的一种重要酚酸没食子酸（GA）通过激活丝裂原活化蛋白激酶/细胞外调节激酶（MAPK/ERK）通路，选择性地导致NSCs分化为未成熟神经元并促进NSC增殖。 . 此外，发现3,4-二羟基苯甲酸是表现出神经营养活性的主要活性结构。基于3,4-二羟基苯甲酸的结构，苯环上的羧基被酯基取代可以促进分化。此外，5-羟基的引入可以促进增殖。本研究发现GA可以促进NSCs的分化和增殖在体外对神经干细胞发挥药理活性。