title: Protection against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+)-induced apoptosis by water extract of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) in SH-SY5Y cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study investigates the protective effects of water extract of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP(+))-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells and explores the underlying mechanisms. The approach may be used for screening therapeutic agents for degenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were used to analyze the protective effects of water extract of ginseng (WEG) against multiple parameters such as MPP(+)-induced viability, oxidative injury, expression of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c and cleaved caspase-3.
  
  
  RESULTS
  WEG exerted inhibitory effect on cell death, overproduction of ROS, elevated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3 expression in MPP(+)-treated SH-SY5Y cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  WEG exhibited significant protective effects against MPP(+)-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells possibly through the suppression of ROS generation and the inhibition of mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Shengquan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Renwen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Shinghung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: Yifan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006540:Herbicides; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000378:metabolism; D009498:Neurotoxins; D005894:Panax; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006540:Herbicides; D009498:Neurotoxins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D045304:Cytochromes c; D053148:Caspase 3; D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium