title: Neuroprotective effects of Psoralea corylifolia Linn seed extracts on mitochondrial dysfunction induced by 3-nitropropionic acid.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in neuronal apoptosis associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease (HD). Animals that are administered 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), a mitochondrial toxin that specifically inhibits complex II of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, manifest HD-like symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Psoralea corylifolia Linn seed extracts against 3-NP induced mitochondrial dysfunction in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, which are used for neurobiological studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study showed that 3-NP-treated PC12 cells had decreased ATP levels, lower cellular oxygen consumption, and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential than those of untreated PC12 cells. Psoralea corylifolia Linn seed extracts stimulated mitochondrial respiration with uncoupling and induced an increased bioenergetic reserve capacity. Furthermore, PC12 cells pretreated with P. corylifolia Linn seed extracts significantly attenuated 3-NP-induced cell death, reduced ATP levels, and lowered the mitochondrial membrane potential.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate that P. corylifolia Linn seed extracts have a significant protective effect against 3-NP induced cytotoxicity. Thus, our results indicate that P. corylifolia Linn seed extracts may have potential applications as therapeutic agents for treating neurodegenerative disease.
authors.forename: A-Rang
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Im
authors.forename: Sung-Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: Gui Jun
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: KM-Based Herbal Drug Development Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Korea. mylee@kiom.re.kr.
authors.forename: Mi-Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000633:toxicity; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D016716:PC12 Cells; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011422:Propionates / Q000633:toxicity; D029907:Psoralea / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011422:Propionates; C015392:3-nitropropionic acid