Abstract
The rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a brain function-improving herb, is a promising source of neuroprotective substances. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective action of xanthones from A. asphodeloides rhizomes on the PC12 cell line exposed to the neurotoxic agent—3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP). The xanthone-enriched fraction of the ethanolic extract of A. asphodeloides (abbreviated from now on as XF, for the Xanthone Fraction), rich in polyphenolic xanthone glycosides, in concentrations from 5 to 100 μg/mL, and 3-NP in concentrations from 2.5 to 15 mM, were examined. After 8, 16, 24, 48, and 72 h of exposure of cells to various combinations of 3-NP and XF, the MTT viability assay was performed and morphological changes were estimated by confocal fluorescence microscopy. The obtained results showed a significant increase in the number of cells surviving after treatment with XF with exposure to neurotoxic 3-NP and decreased morphological changes in PC12 cells in a dose and time dependent manner. The most effective protective action was observed when PC12 cells were pre-incubated with the XF. This effect may contribute to the traditional indications of this herb for neurological and cognitive complaints. However, a significant cytotoxicity observed at higher XF concentrations (over 10 µg/mL) and longer incubation time (48 h) requires caution in future research and thorough investigation into potential adverse effects.
Highlights
The worsening quality of the environment relates to increased exposure to different xenobiotics, which adversely affect human health, especially in industrialized countries [1]
The cells growing in culture vessels were detached and seeded on 96-well plates at a density of 6 × 104 cells/well with 200 μL RPMI 1640 containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1% penicillin–streptomycin, with/without the xanthone fraction (XF) (0.5 or 1 μg/mL) in a 96-well plate and were incubated at 37 ◦C. 24 h after seeding, the cells were treated with 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) with the absence or presence of different concentrations of XF for 8 and 24 h
Our study revealed that the xanthone-enriched fraction of ethanolic Anemarrhena asphodeloides rhizome extract enhances cell proliferation and curbs the cytotoxic activity of 3-NP
Summary
The worsening quality of the environment (e.g., pollution of air, water, and food) relates to increased exposure to different xenobiotics, which adversely affect human health, especially in industrialized countries [1]. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is indicated as one of the important inducers of tissue damage and the development of neurodegenerative disorders [2,3,4]. Neurotoxins are indicated as a reason for the increased incidence of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or Huntington’s. It is estimated that the incidence of dementia-related diseases in 2050 will have tripled since 1950 [5]. Despite an abundance of research, there are still no effective methods of prevention or treatment for these diseases. Natural products from plants attract attention, based on their widespread use in traditional and folk medicine for the treatment and prevention of different neurological disorders, including neurodegeneration [6,7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
