Thevetiaflavone Protects PC12 Cells Against Neurotoxicity Induced by Aβ1-42 Through Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Activating Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway

Thevetiaflavone is a flavonoid possessing neuroprotective effects on PC12 cells injured by oxygen and glucose deprivation and restoration or H2O2, which inspires us to elucidate if it protects PC12 cells against the neurotoxicity induced by amyloid beta. As a result, thevetiaflavone can improve the survival of PC12 cells injured by A beta(1-42) through increasing the viability and blocking intracellular LDH release. Further investigation revealed thevetiaflavone can ameliorated the neurotoxicity in PC12 cells induced by A beta(1-42) via inhibiting oxidative stress and preventing apoptosis. The excessive ROS was reduced and the activity of SOD and CAT was elevated. Meanwhile, the activity of caspase-3 and -9 was suppressed as well as up-regulation of Bcl-2 and down-regulation of Bax were observed. Additionally, Nrf2/HO-1 pathway was found to be involved in this protection. These findings gave evidences for the discovery of neuroprotective agents for Alzheimer's disease.