title: Antioxidant and astroprotective effects of a Pulicaria incisa infusion.
abstract: Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cells in the brain, protect neurons from reactive oxygen species (ROS) and provide them with trophic support, such as glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). Thus, any damage to astrocytes will affect neuronal survival. In the present study, an infusion prepared from the desert plant Pulicaria incisa (Pi) was tested for its protective and antioxidant effects on astrocytes subjected to oxidative stress. The Pi infusion attenuated the intracellular accumulation of ROS following treatment with hydrogen peroxide and zinc and prevented the H(2)O(2)-induced death of astrocytes. The Pi infusion also exhibited an antioxidant effect in vitro and induced GDNF transcription in astrocytes. It is proposed that this Pi infusion be further evaluated for use as a functional beverage for the prevention and/or treatment of brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases in which oxidative stress plays a role.
authors: Department of Food Quality and Safety, The Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel. aelmann@volcani.agri.gov.il
authors: Anat
authors: A
authors: Elmann
authors: Alona
authors: A
authors: Telerman
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: Mordechay
authors: Hilla
authors: H
authors: Erlank
authors: Rivka
authors: R
authors: Ofir
mesh_terms: D000578:Amidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002712:Chlorides / Q000494:pharmacology; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D010545:Peroxides / Q000378:metabolism; D010851:Picrates / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D052587:Pulicaria / Q000737:chemistry*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000578:Amidines; D000975:Antioxidants; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D002712:Chlorides; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D010545:Peroxides; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C049375:perhydroxyl radical; C046728:2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane); C016837:zinc chloride; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl