Abstract
Amauroderma rugosum (AR) is a dietary mushroom in the Ganodermataceae family whose pharmacological activity and medicinal value have rarely been reported. In this study, the antioxidant capacity and neuroprotective effects of AR were investigated. The aqueous extract of AR was confirmed to contain phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, and triterpenes. The results of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and total antioxidant capacity assays revealed that AR extract scavenged reactive oxygen species. Moreover, AR extract decreased the cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). In addition, 6-OHDA upregulated the expressions of proapoptotic proteins and downregulated the Akt (protein kinase B)/mTOR- (mammalian target of rapamycin-) and MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase)/ERK- (extracellular signal-regulated kinases-) dependent signaling pathways. These effects of 6-OHDA were abolished or partially reversed by AR extract. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects of AR in 6-OHDA-treated PC12 cells were significantly abolished by Akt and MEK inhibitor. Thus, AR extract possesses neuroprotective effects, probably through its antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects. These findings suggest the potential application of AR in the prevention or treatment of oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.
Highlights
To date, Parkinson’s disease remains the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, and its incidence is increasing in people over 60 years of age [1]
Oxidative stress is widely believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of many age-related diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer
N-acetylcysteine can be used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in which oxidative stress is closely associated with its pathology and complications [17]
Summary
Parkinson’s disease remains the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, and its incidence is increasing in people over 60 years of age [1]. It is characterized by a selective and progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to serious movement disturbances including postural instability, uncontrollable tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia [2]. Available treatments for Parkinson’s disease include dopaminergic replacement therapy and deep brain stimulation therapy [3]. Neither of these treatments can halt nor slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Decreasing oxidative injury in dopaminergic neurons has been widely proposed as an effective approach for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
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