Swainsonine-induced apoptosis pathway in cerebral cortical neurons

Swainsonine (SW) is an indolizidine alkaloid, and the principal toxic component of the poisonous legume plants Astragalus and Oxytropis sp. Animals that consume the toxic plants show neurologic symptoms. In this study, the cerebral cortical neurons of primary culture were treated for 12h with various concentrations of SW. The [Ca(2+)]i and the protein expression of caspase-3, -8, -9 and -12 were assessed in all experimental groups. In comparison with the control group, [Ca(2+)]i increased significantly in SW-treated groups (P<0.05). SW significantly increased the expression of activated protein caspase-3, -8 and -12 (P<0.05), while caspase-9 did not change (P>0.05). The results suggest that SW induced the apoptosis of neurons through a death receptor pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress.