Abstract
Bhilawanol (Bh) and anacardic acid (AA) are two lipid-soluble compounds mostly found in the nut of Semecarpus anacardium (SA). This herb has many medicinal properties including enhancing learning and memory, yet its active compounds have not been studied for neuroprotective effects. We investigated the neuroprotective effects of Bh and AA against glutamate induced cell death in the adrenal pheochromocytoma cell line of rats (PC12 cells). Cell viability, toxicity and calcium influx were determined by MTT assay, LDH release assay and Fluo-3 imaging while apoptosis was assayed by caspase-3 and Bcl-2 gene expression. Our results showed that Bh and AA treatments significantly increased cell viability, reduced cell toxicity and calcium influx in PC12 cells in addition to suppressing the reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, AA treatment decreased caspase-3 expression level whereas both Bh and AA enhanced the expression of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 in PC12 cells. Both compounds potently inhibited acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) in a dose and time dependent manner. These findings suggest that the traditional use of SA may be explained on the basis of both Bh and AA showing neuroprotective potential due to their effects on enhancing cell viability, reducing cell toxicity most probably by reducing excessive calcium influx and suppression of ROS as well as by decreasing the expression of proapoptotic caspase 3 gene and increasing the expression of antiapoptotic gene Bcl2. Traditional use in enhancing learning and memory was justified in part by inhibition of AChE.
Highlights
Herbs are highly valued because they contain active ingredients as sources of medicinal compounds and play important roles in maintaining and improving human health
It was believed that low doses of the extract improve memory, whereas high doses lead to psychotic symptoms
Bh and anacardic acid (AA) were purchased from Sigma
Summary
Herbs are highly valued because they contain active ingredients as sources of medicinal compounds and play important roles in maintaining and improving human health. (Anacardiaceae) (SA) commonly known as Bhallataka or marking nut is used in indigenous Indian, African, and Arabic systems of medicine for the treatment of various diseases The nut has been found to be effective against diseases such as arthritis, and infections (Semalty et al, 2010). It is used traditionally for dyeing hair, and for promoting hair growth (Vinutha et al, 2007).
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