title: Protective effects of Angelica sinensis extract on amyloid beta-peptide-induced neurotoxicity.
abstract: The protective effects of alcohol extract from the root of Angelica sinensis (AS) on beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta)-induced toxicity and the mechanism of these effects were investigated. Abeta is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease; it decreased viability of Neuro 2A cells in a concentration-dependent manner with IC(50) of 14.9 microM. AS extract resulted in dose-dependent anti-Abeta toxicity according to MTT assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) analysis revealed a significant production of hydrogen peroxide, decreased glutathione (GSH) levels and increased lipid peroxidation (TBARS value) in the Abeta-treated Neuro 2A cells. The Abeta-treated cells also showed a significant decline in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsim) and increase in the mitochondrial volume, and portions of the cytoplasm were sequestered by a membrane-bound vacuole. The malfunctions of Neuro 2A cells caused by Abeta were attenuated using AS extract. The AS extract protected cell viability against Abeta-induced oxidative damage (ROS, TBARS, and GSH contents) and rescued the DeltaPsim levels in a dose-dependent manner: the dosages of 25, 50, 100, and 200 microg/ml recovered 77%, 87%, 102%, and 105% of DeltaPsim, respectively. AS extract also recovered the enlarged mitochondria mass with dosages from 25 to 200 microg/ml. The results of this study demonstrated that AS extract possessed the activity to prevent the neurotoxicity induced by Abeta-associated oxidative stress, implying that AS has a potential role in the prevention of Alzheimer's diseases.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shih-Hao
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chun-Mao
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Been-Huang
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Chiang
mesh_terms: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000633:toxicity*; D029971:Angelica sinensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C044613:angelicae sinensis extract