Abstract:

Aim To investigate the effect of liriodendrin, an extract from Fraxinus sielboldiana blume belonging to the Oleaceae family, on dopamine-induced cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Methods Cell viability was processed when treated with 50 μmol·L^–1 of dopamine for 24 h by MTT assay. Early apoptosis, late apoptosis/necrosis were analyzed by flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide (PI) double-staining, respectively. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed by DCFH-DA, an oxidation-sensitive fluorescent probe. To evaluate mitochondrion membrane potential (ΔΨm) using flow cytometry with the fluorescent dye Rhodamine 123. The transcriptional level of P53 was studied using RTPCR. Results The dopamine-induced loss of cell viability was significantly attenuated by liriodendrin treatment at the concentration of 10^–8, 10^–7, 10^–6, 10^–5 and 10^–4 mol·L^–1. The protective effects of liriodendrin (10^–7, 10^–6 and 10^–5 mol·L^–1) on dopamine-induced cytotoxicity may be ascribed to its anti-oxidative properties by reducing ROS level and anti-apoptotic effect via protection of ΔΨm. In addition, the effect of liriodendrin may involve the P53 pathway in apoptosis. Conclusion Liriodendrin may provide a useful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Key words: Liriodendrin, Liriodendrin, Parkinson's disease, Parkinson's disease, Dopamine, Dopamine, Apoptosis, Apoptosis, ROS, ROS, Mitochondrion membrane potential, Mitochondrion membrane potential, P53, P53