S. choloroleuca, S. mirzayanii and S. santolinifolia protect PC12 cells from H2O2-induced apoptosis by blocking the intrinsic pathway

• DOI: 10.1007/s10616-011-9418-x
• Publication Date: 2011-12-30T08:25:09Z
• Authors: Shabnam Zeighamy ...; Fariba Khodagholi; Fatemeh Shaerzadeh; Niloufar Ansari; Ali Sonboli; Solaleh Khoramian...
• Keywords: Blocking (statistics)

Several studies have shown that neuronal cell death due to apoptosis is the major reason for cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we report the anti-apoptotic effects of three Salvia species from Iran-S. choloroleuca, S. mirzayanii and S. santolinifolia-against H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity in neuron-like PC12 cells. We showed that these antioxidant species could interfere with the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis by attenuating Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, decreasing outer mitochondrial membrane break and decreasing cytochrome c release to cytoplasm. Interestingly, we found that these species were able to replenish reduced glutathione level which affects cellular redox status and cytochrome c activity. Moreover, the decreased level of caspase-3, the executioner caspase, resulted in decrease of PARP-1 cleavage. Anti-apoptotic effects of these species along with their antioxidant effects, may represent a promising approach for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.