Protective effects of Gastrodia elata Blume on MPP+-induced cytotoxicity in human dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Gastrodia elata (GE) Blume (Orchidaceae) has been traditionally used as a folk medicine in Oriental countries since centuries for their variety of therapeutic benefits. This study is an attempt to investigate the protective effects of GE extract against MPP(+)-induced cytotoxicity in human dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells and explore the neuroprotective mechanisms involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells were used to demonstrate the protective effects of GE against multiple parameters such as MPP(+)-induced cell viability, oxidative damage, expression of Bcl-2 and Bax, caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase proteolysis. RESULTS: GE effectively attenuated the cytotoxicity and improved cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. GE was effective in inhibiting both, the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increase in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, cleaved caspase-3 and PARP proteolysis. CONCLUSION: Data from this study suggests the protective effects of GE on MPP(+)-induced cytotoxicity in dopaminergic cells, which may be ascribed to its significant anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties, thus, GE might prove to be a valuable therapeutic agent for the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases including progressive Parkinson's disease (PD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]