Chitosan Nanoparticles Rescue Rotenone-Mediated Cell Death.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience
• Materials Science

Background:

• Oxidative stress and apoptosis are key mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases.
• Rotenone is a commonly used toxin to induce oxidative stress and neuronal cell death in research models.
• SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells are a widely used in vitro model for studying neuronal function and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of chitosan nanoparticles.
• To evaluate the protective role of chitosan nanoparticles against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity.
• To assess the potential of chitosan nanoparticles as a therapeutic agent for neuroprotection.

Main Methods:

• Chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized via ionotropic gelation and characterized using DLS, SEM, TEM, FTIR, and AFM.
• Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were exposed to rotenone to induce oxidative stress and cell death.
• Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using Annexin V/Propidium iodide staining.
• The protective effects of pre-incubated chitosan nanoparticles were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Rotenone exposure (50 µM) caused 35-50% cell death in SH-SY5Y cells within 24 hours.
• Annexin V/Propidium iodide staining confirmed that rotenone-induced cell death primarily occurred via apoptosis.
• Pre-incubation with chitosan nanoparticles significantly reduced rotenone-induced cytotoxicity and apoptotic cell death.
• Chitosan nanoparticles exhibited antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties in the rotenone-treated cell model.

Conclusions:

• Chitosan nanoparticles possess significant antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.
• These nanoparticles can protect neuronal cells from rotenone-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis.
• Chitosan nanoparticles show promise as a potential therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative conditions and as a carrier for combination therapies.