Neuroprotective effects of Lycium chinense Miller against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells.
Rotenone, an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I, has been widely regarded as a neurotoxin because it induces a Parkinson's disease-like syndrome. The fruit and root bark of Lycium chinense Miller have been used as traditional medicines in Asia to treat neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we examined the neuroprotective effects of Lycium chinense Miller extracts in rotenone-treated PC12 cells. Treatment with rotenone reduced PC12 cell viability and cellular ATP levels. Conversely, caspase 3/7 activity, the ratio of Bax:Bcl-2 expression levels, mitochondrial superoxide level, and intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) concentration were elevated. Pretreatment with Lycium chinense Miller extracts significantly increased cell viability and ATP levels. Additionally, they attenuated caspase activation, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and mitochondrial superoxide production. Moreover, confocal microscopy showed that the mitochondrial staining pattern was restored from that of extracts treated cells and that the increase in intracellular Ca (2+) level was blunted by treatment with the extracts. Our results suggest that Lycium chinense Miller extracts may have the possible beneficial effects in Parkinson's disease by attenuating rotenone induced toxicity.
KM-Based Herbal Drug Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 305-811, South Korea.
A-Rang
AR
Im
Young-Hwa
YH
Kim
Md Romij
MR
Uddin
Sungwook
S
Chae
Hye Won
HW
Lee
Yeong Shik
YS
Kim
Mi Young
MY
Lee
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D032305:Lycium; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D016716:PC12 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012402:Rotenone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D012402:Rotenone; D013481:Superoxides; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D020169:Caspases; D002118:Calcium