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Exploring the Two Herb Combination Strategy to Treat Injured PC12 Cells
Published on: November 18, 2022
Protective effects of the citrus flavanones to PC12 cells against cytotoxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide
Yan-Hua Lu1, Ming-Yuan Su, Hai-Ya Huang
1State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, PR China. luyanhua@ecust.edu.cn
Abstract:
Oxidative stress has been considered as a major cause of cellular injuries in a variety of clinical abnormalities. One of the plausible ways to prevent the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated cellular injury is dietary or pharmaceutical augmentation of endogenous antioxidant defense capacity. In this study, we investigated the protective actions of citrus flavanones naringin and nobiletin against the cytotoxicity induced by exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) (150μM, 3h) in PC12 cells. The results showed that naringin and nobiletin inhibited the decrease of cell viability (MTT reduction), prevented membrane damage (LDH release), scavenged ROS formation, reduced caspase-3 activity, and attenuated the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), respectively, in H(2)O(2)-induced PC12 cells. Meanwhile, naringin and nobiletin increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) activity, while decreased malondialdehyde (MDA), the production of lipid peroxidation, in H(2)O(2)-induced PC12 cells. In addition, the percentage of cells undergoing H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis was decreased in the presence of naringin and nobiletin. These results first demonstrate that naringin and nobiletin, even at physiological concentrations, have neuroprotective effects against H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. All the above results suggest that these dietary antioxidants are potential candidates for use in the intervention for neurodegenerative diseases.
Insights
Citrus flavanones naringin and nobiletin protect against oxidative stress and cell damage. These dietary antioxidants show potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases by enhancing cellular defense mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Oxidative stress is a key factor in cellular damage across various diseases.
- Enhancing endogenous antioxidant defenses offers a protective strategy against reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective effects of citrus flavanones naringin and nobiletin.
- To assess their efficacy against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells.
Main Methods:
- PC12 cells were exposed to H(2)O(2) with and without naringin and nobiletin.
- Evaluated cell viability (MTT assay), membrane damage (LDH release), ROS scavenging, caspase-3 activity, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, GSH), and lipid peroxidation (MDA).
- Assessed apoptosis rates using flow cytometry.
Main Results:
- Naringin and nobiletin preserved cell viability and prevented membrane damage.
- They effectively scavenged ROS, reduced caspase-3 activity, and maintained MMP.
- Increased SOD and GSH levels while decreasing MDA production, indicating reduced lipid peroxidation and apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Naringin and nobiletin demonstrate significant neuroprotective effects against H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells, even at physiological concentrations.
- These dietary antioxidants hold promise as therapeutic candidates for neurodegenerative diseases.

