Neuroprotective effect by Dammishimgyu-herbal acupuncture against H2O2-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma, SH-SY5Y cells

Background: The free radical is involved in neuronal cell death in human neurodegenerative disease. Dammishimpu (DMSG)-herbal acupuncture has been used to treat neurological disorders in Korea. The present study was aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of DMSG-herbal acupuncture against H2O2-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y. Methods: The neuroprotective effect of DMSG-herbal acupuncture on H2O2 induced apoptosis was investigated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-Z5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blots and nitrite assay. Results: In this study, 100 mu M H2O2-treated cells decreased the cell viability with apoptotic features and increased the production of nitric oxide (NO). However, 0.1% DMSG treatment after exposure to 100 mu M H2O2 inhibited both H2O2-stimulated mRNA and protein expressions of BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) and caspase 3 apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase (CASP3). In addition, 0.1% DMSG treatment inhibited the increased NO production induced by H2O2. Conclusion: These results suggest that DMSC-herbal acupuncture shows protective effect against H2O2-induced neuronal damage.