Di-Huang-Yi-Zhi herbal formula attenuates amyloid-β-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells

Traditional Chinese medicine can be used for Alzheimer's disease management, such as the modern herbal formula Di-Huang-Yi-Zhi (DHYZ). In the present study, neuronal differentiated PC12 cells were used as a model to evaluate the effects of DHYZ against amyloid-β peptide 25-35 (Aβ_25-35) induced neurotoxicity, particularly regarding cell proliferation, apoptosis and related events. Following treatment with DHYZ, cell viability, cell membrane damage, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activity and levels of reactive oxygen species in PC12 cells were detected. The results demonstrated that pretreatment with DHYZ significantly protected PC12 cells from Aβ_25-35-induced proliferation inhibition, lactate dehydrogenase release and apoptosis, as well as upregulating mitochondrial membrane potential and downregulating cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation. DHYZ also inhibited the Aβ_25-35-induced reactive oxygen species generation in PC12 cells. These observations suggest that DHYZ protected PC12 cells from the Aβ-induced neurotoxicity.