Search

The study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of α-mangostin and explore its mechanism in anin vitromodel of Parkinson’s disease (PD) induced by rotenone. SH-SY5Y cells were treated with rotenone and α-mangostin for 24 h. α-Mangostin significantly and concentration-dependently inhibited rotenone-induced cytotoxicity. The rotenone-induced aggregation of α-synuclein and loss of TH were alleviated by α-mangostin. α-Mangostin treatment also reversed the rotenone-induced overproduction of reactive oxygen species, activation of caspases (−8 and −3) and mitochondrial dysfunction, reflected by decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular ATP levels. These findings suggest that α-mangostin has neuroprotective effects against PD-related neuronal injury. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To investigate the effects of Erzhi Pill ([Chinese text], EZP) on nerve cell apoptosis in senescence model rats. Methods: The rats model of senescence was established by peritoneal D-galactose injection combined with thymusectomy. Forty SD rats were randomized into four groups, the normal control group, the senescence model group, the EZP treated group, and the vitamins treated group, 10 in each group. The rats were made into senescence model except those in the normal group. In the same time of D-galactose injection, the rats were treated respectively with distilled water, EZP 4.32 g/kg, and vitamins E and C 0.06 g/kg daily for 6 weeks via intragastric infusion. The index of main viscera (as brain, testis, etc.), serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and total anti-oxidation capacity (T-AOC) were measured after a 6-week treatment. Meanwhile, the cerebral cortex neuronal apoptosis proportion and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were detected by flow cytometry. Results: Both EZP and vitamins E and C treatments showed effects on increasing testis index and serum level of T-AOC, reducing the percentage of neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex, and elevating MMP in the aging rats model. Conclusions: EZP could inhibit the cerebral cortex neuron apoptosis and maintain the mitochondrial function in the senescent process of rats induced by peritoneal D-galactose injection combined with thymusectomy. It also shows antioxidation effect to some extents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beta-aescin, a natural triterpenoid saponin isolated from the seed of Chinese horse chestnut (Aesculus chinensis), is known to generate a wide variety of biochemical and pharmacological effects. In the present study, the authors investigated the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of beta-aescin in human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cell line in vitro. The anti-proliferative effects were detected by CFU-K562 colony formation and cell viability assay. The apoptotic effects were analysed by morphological analysis, annexin V assay, DNA fragmentation assay and flow cytometry DNA content analysis. The results showed that beta-aescin exhibited potent dose- and time-dependent anti-proliferative effects in K562 cells. Morphological evidence of apoptosis, a significant increase of annexin V+ and PI- cells (early apoptotic) and apoptotic DNA fragmentation, were observed in cells treated with beta-aescin. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that beta-aescin could lead to an accumulation of sub G1 population in K562 cells, and suggesting a potential G1 phase accumulation in cell cycle profile of K562 cells. Our findings revealed that beta-aescin is a potent natural inhibitor of proliferation and inducer of apoptosis in K562 cells, and beta-aescin may be a candidate lead compound to explore potential antileukemia drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]