Juniper oil inhibits the heat shock-induced apoptosis via preventing the caspase-3 activation in human astrocytes CCF-STTG1 cells.
BACKGROUND
Brain astrocytes play a pivotal role in neuronal activities.


METHODS
An investigation was undertaken to determine whether juniper oil inhibits heat shock-induced apoptosis of astrocytes.


RESULTS
Juniper oil inhibited the heat shock-induced apoptosis in human astrocyte CCF-STTG1 cells. Pretreatment of the cells with juniper oil inhibited the heat shock-induced DNA fragmentation and condensation of nuclear chromatin. Juniper oil alone did not affect the apoptosis. Juniper oil inhibited the heat shock-induced caspase-3 activation and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) fragmentation in the human astrocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
Juniper oil may inhibit the apoptosis of astrocytes by preventing the caspase-3 activation.
Na
H J
HJ
Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, and Korea Institute of Oriental Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Chonbuk 570-749, Republic of Korea.
Koo
H N
HN
Lee
G G
GG
Yoo
S J
SJ
Park
J H
JH
Lyu
Y S
YS
Kim
H M
HM
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D018653:Juniperus / Q000737:chemistry*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012769:Shock / Q000473:pathology*
D002843:Chromatin; D010938:Plant Oils; D004247:DNA; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases