Evaluation of antioxidant and neuroprotective activities of Lyngbya majuscula on human neural tissues

Abstract

The neurodegenerative disease accounts for the functional dysfunction of the neural cells and is also caused by the oxidative stress that prevailed within the neural cells. The prophylactic activity of Cyanobacteria can inhibit the action of reactive oxygen species and can also act as a neuroprotective agent. In this current study, the antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Lyngbya majuscula against human neural PC12 cell line are evaluated using DPPH assay and MTT assay. Cell morphology of treated PC12 cells is observed by DAPI staining and DNA fragmentation and caspase enzyme activity are also conducted. The extract is found to possess preliminary phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, anthroquinone, phenols, saponins and tannins. The results of this study indicate that L. majuscula extract has excellent free radical scavenging activity. MTT assay revealed that IC50 values are 406.45 ± 3.2 μg/mL and 426.14 ± 1.7 μg/Ml. The stimulation apoptosis by the extract is confirmed through DNA fragmentation analysis and it also possesses significant Caspase enzyme activity. The results evidence the potential neuroprotective effects of L. majuscula extract on PC12 cell lines. Further investigation will be required for the molecular mechanism and gene regulation.