title: Aqueous extract of Zizyphus jujuba fruit attenuates glucose induced neurotoxicity in an in vitro model of diabetic neuropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The neuroprotective effect of fruit aqueous extract of Ziziphus jujuba Lam on glucose-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells as an appropriate in vitro model of diabetic neuropathy was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cell viability was determined by the MTT assay. Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was measured by DCFH-DA analysis. Cleaved caspase-3, a biochemical parameter of cellular apoptosis, was measured by western blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our data showed that a 4-fold elevation in glucose levels within the medium significantly reduced cell viability, increased intracellular ROS and caspase-3 activation in PC12 cells after 24 hr. Incubation of the high glucose medium cells with 300-μg/ml Z. jujuba fruit (ZJF) extract decreased the high glucose-induced cell toxicity and prevented caspase-3 activation and excited ROS generation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thus, we concluded that the aqueous extract of Z. jujuba protects against hyperglycaemia-induced cellular toxicity. This could be associated with the prevention of ROS generation and neural apoptosis. Moreover, the results suggest that the ZJF has a therapeutic potential to attenuate diabetes complications such as neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.
authors.forename: Ayat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaeidi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taati
authors.affiliation: Kerman Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hajializadeh
authors.affiliation: Kerman Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Faranak
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jahandari
authors.affiliation: Young Researchers Club, Khoramabad Brach, Islamic Azad University, Khoramabad, Iran.
authors.forename: Marzieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rashidipour
keywords: Apoptosis; Diabetes; Neuropathy; Ziziphus jujube