Korean J Physiol Pharmacol.  2007 Oct;11(5):171-174.

Neuroprotective Effects of Methanol Extracts of Jeju Native Plants on Hydrogen Peroxide-induced Cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells

• Kong PJ
• Kim YM
• Lee HJ
• Kim SS
• Yoo ES
• Chun W

Abstract

Neuronal death is a common characteristic hallmark of a variety of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. However, there have been no effective drugs to successfully prevent neuronal death in those diseases, whereas oriental medicinal plants have to possess valuable therapeutic potentials to treat neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, in an attempt to provide neuroprotective agents from natural plants, 80% methanol extracts of a wide range of medicinal plants, which are native to Jeju Island in Korea, were prepared and their protective effects on hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptotic cell death were examined. Among those tested, extracts from Smilax china and Saururus chinesis significantly decreased hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptotic cell death. The extracts attenuated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced caspase-3 activation in a dose-dependent manner. Further, plant extracts restored H2O2-induced depletion of intracellular glutathione, a major endogenous antioxidant. The data suggest that Jeju native medicinal plants could potentially be used as therapeutic agents for treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases in which oxidative stress is implicated.

Keyword

Neuroprotection; Jeju native plants; Hydrogen peroxide; Caspase-3

MeSH Terms

Alzheimer Disease
Caspase 3
Cell Death
China
Glutathione
Humans*
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen*
Korea
Methanol*
Neuroblastoma*
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurons
Neuroprotective Agents*
Oxidative Stress
Parkinson Disease
Plant Extracts
Plants, Medicinal
Saururaceae
Smilax
Caspase 3
Glutathione
Hydrogen
Hydrogen Peroxide
Methanol
Neuroprotective Agents
Plant Extracts