Maizediterpene D from the roots of Zea mays L. alleviates hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress and improves cell survival by activation of TrkB/IGF-1R crosstalk pathways.

The ent-kaurane diterpenoid enriched fraction (EDEF) of maize root was isolated and purified, and 10 compounds, including 4 ent-kaurane diterpenoids, were isolated and identified. We evaluated their neuroprotective properties in vitro for the first time using an H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative damage model in SH-SY5Y cells. The results showed that pretreatment with maizediterpene D, a new ent-kaurane diterpenoid isolated from the EDEF, significantly attenuated H 2 O 2 -induced apoptosis by improving cell survival, reducing ROS production and increasing mitochondrial membrane potential. Mechanistically, the neuroprotective effect of maizediterpene D was confirmed to be related to the dual activation of IGF-1R and BDNF/TrkB crosstalk pathways. Our findings suggest that the EDEF and its active constituent maizediterpene D had good neuroprotective properties and could serve as potential candidates for the development of therapeutic drugs for oxidative stress-related diseases. [Display omitted] • EDEF and Maizediterpene D were isolated from maize roots. • EDEF showed good antioxidant activity against H 2 O 2 induced oxidative stress. • D showed better cytoprotective activity against H 2 O 2 triggered oxidative stress. • M-D attenuated H 2 O 2 induced oxidative stress by BDNF/TrkB and BDNF/TrkB crosstalk pathways [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]