Anthocyanins Extracted from Aronia melanocarpa Protect SH-SY5Y Cells against Amyloid-beta (1-42)-Induced Apoptosis by Regulating Ca2+ Homeostasis and Inhibiting Mitochondrial Dysfunction

We investigated the cytoprotective effects of anthocyanins in Aronia melanocarpa against apoptosis induced by A beta(1-42), a key mediator of AD pathophysiology. We measured intracellular calcium with a colorimetric kit, cellular apoptosis with DAPI, intracellular ROS with the fluorescent marker 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, mitochondrial membrane potential with JC-1, and ATP with a colorimetric kit. Gene transcription and protein expression levels of calmodulin, cytochrome c, caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that pretreatment with anthocyanins significantly inhibited A beta(1-42)-induced apoptosis, decreased intracellular calcium and ROS, and increased ATP and mitochondrial membrane potential. RT-PCR and Western blotting revealed that anthocyanins upregulated the gene transcription and protein expression of calmodulin and Bcl-2 and downregulated those of cytochrome c, caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, and Bax. A. melanocarpa anthocyanins protected SH-SY5Y cells against A beta(1-42)-induced apoptosis by regulating Ca2+ homeostasis and apoptosis-related genes and inhibiting mitochondrial dysfunction.