Attenuation of AP-induced apoptosis of plant extract (Saengshik) mediated by the inhibition of mitochondrial dysfunction and antioxidative effect

Recently, considerable attention has been focused on dietary manipulation of oxidative and/or nitrosative damage on neuronal cells. In this article, a neuroprotective effect of plant (Saengshik) extracts was investigated. Rat pheochromocytoma (PC12), cells treated with beta-amyloid underwent apoptotic death as determined by positive in situ terminal end-labeling (TUNEL staining), decreased mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and elevated caspase-3 activity co-occurring with enhanced MDA accumulation and the reduction of GSH levels. Saengshik pretreatment attenuated beta-amyloid-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells possibly by inhibiting mitochondrial dysfunction and exerting antioxidant properties. Saengshik pretreatment inhibited the loss of mitochondrial membrane potentials and reduced the activation of caspase-3. The in vitro antioxidant activities of Saengshik extracts were verified by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic activity. In beta-amyloid-challenged PC12 cells, Saengshik prevented the production of ROS, decreased the level of MDA, and elevated GSH. The potential of Saengshik as one of the neuroprotective regimens has been suggested through this article, and the combination with defined pharmaceuticals or other dietary antioxidants may provide a better therapeutic or preventive advantage for the management of Alzheimer's disease.