Abstract
ABPPk, the active ingredient separated from Achyranthes bidentata polypeptides, is a traditional Chinese medicine with multiple pharmaceutical properties. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of ABPPk in protecting Schwann cells (SCs) from H2O2-induced cell apoptosis. The viability of SCs pretreated with ABPPk was elevated significantly by MTT assay estimation. Meanwhile, the apoptosis of SCs was reduced which was showed in flow cytometry and transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling analysis. Furthermore, the addition of ABPPk also increased the activities of SOD and GSH accompanied with a decrease in MDA and LDH activities. According to Western blot analysis, the upregulation of Bcl-2, also downregulation of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 were demonstrated in SCs which was ABPPk pretreated. Further research showed that PI3K/AKT and ERK1/2 pathways in SCs have been activated after pretreatment of ABPPk. Collectively, results in our study suggested that ABPPk protected SCs from H2O2-induced oxidative damage by reducing the expression of apoptotic molecules and enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes, which inhibited the apoptosis of SCs modulated by PI3K/AKT and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. In our perspectives, ABPPk as an active factor with its antioxidative activities has potential and promising therapeutic effects in the prevention of neurologic disorders.
Highlights
Schwann cells (SCs), an important component of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that wrapping both myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers, could excrete a large number of growth factors to promote axonal growth and myelinization (Jessen and Mirsky, 1997; WoszczyckaKorczynska et al, 2013)
We found that A. bidentata polypeptides (ABPP) that isolated from the aqueous extract of A. bidentata Blume possesses a protective effect on N-methyl-Daspartate (NMDA)-induced apoptosis of hippocampal neurons (Shen et al, 2008) and could promote peripheral nerve regeneration in rats and rabbits (Yuan et al, 2010; Wang Y. et al, 2013; Cheng et al, 2014)
To evaluate the potential cytoprotective effect of Achyranthes bidentata polypeptide fraction k (ABPPk) against oxidative stress-induced SCs death, SCs were pretreated with ABPPk at various concentrations (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 μg/ml) for 12 h followed by exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at a final concentration of 400 μM for 24 h
Summary
Schwann cells (SCs), an important component of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that wrapping both myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers, could excrete a large number of growth factors to promote axonal growth and myelinization (Jessen and Mirsky, 1997; WoszczyckaKorczynska et al, 2013). Damage to SCs is likely to induce cell apoptosis and restrict functional. It is reported in previous studies that apoptosis of SCs caused by oxidative stress is the common and vital mechanism of peripheral neuropathy (Purves et al, 2001). Oxidative stress-induced cell apoptosis is implicated as an important pathogenic factor in many neurodegenerative diseases (Olanow, 1993; Behl, 1999; Finkel and Holbrook, 2000; Choi et al, 2006). Inhibition of the oxidative damage to SCs will improve the potential ability of protection from damage and regenerative efficacy of peripheral nerve injuries
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