Neuroprotective effect of cocoa flavonoids on in vitro oxidative stress.
BACKGROUND
Cocoa is a rich source of flavonoids that, among other functions, can act as antioxidants. In living systems, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate an array of intracellular cascades, including mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), that are closely associated with cell death or survival pathways.


OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the role of a cocoa extract and its main flavonoid, (-)-epicatechin, in an in vitro model of oxidative stress induced in a neuronal cell line.


METHODS
We analyzed ROS production by fluorometry (dichlorofluorescein assay), and activation of MAPK pathways including extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK 1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p-38, by Western blot analysis.


RESULTS
Cells incubated with cocoa extract or (-)-epicatechin, reduced ROS production in a dose-dependent manner, reaching 35% inhibition. pJNK and p38, involved in apoptosis, were down-modulated by cocoa extract and (-)-epicatechin with p38 inhibition reaching up to 70%.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that cocoa extract and (-)-epicatechin may exert a neuroprotective action by reducing ROS production and modulating MAPK activation.
Ramiro-Puig
Emma
E
Department de Fisiologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII s/n, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
Casadesús
Gemma
G
Lee
Hyoung-gon
HG
Zhu
Xiongwei
X
McShea
Andrew
A
Perry
George
G
Pérez-Cano
Francisco J
FJ
Smith
Mark A
MA
Castell
Margarida
M
D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry*; D002392:Catechin / Q000494:pharmacology; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D009447:Neuroblastoma; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
D005419:Flavonoids; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D002392:Catechin; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases