Neuroprotective effects of Magnoliae Flos extract in mouse hippocampal neuronal cells

Woo Seung Yang,Gahee Ryu,Choong Je Ma,Youn Sik Jung,Jin Bae Weon

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-28055-z

Abstract

Magnoliae Flos (MF) is a traditional medicinal herb used for managing rhinitis, sinusitis and headache. The purpose of the present study was to determine the neuroprotective effect of MF against glutamate-induced oxidative stress and to assess the underlying mechanism. Glutamate is a major endogenous excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and contributes to the development of neurodegenerative diseases by excessive activation. MF extract was subjected to a neuroprotective effect assay in HT22 mouse hippocampal cells. The mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effect of MF extract was evaluated by assaying reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, intracellular Ca2+ levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, glutathione level and antioxidant enzyme activity in HT22 cells. MF extract significantly decreased glutamate-induced death of HT22 cells (80.83 ± 7.34% relative neuroprotection). MF extract reduced the intracellular ROS and Ca2+ levels and increased the glutathione level and glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxide activities. Moreover, MF extract attenuated the mitochondrial membrane potential in HT22 cells. These results suggested that MF extract exerts a neuroprotective effect against oxidative stress HT22 cells, which was mediated by its antioxidant activity.

Highlights

The Magnoliae Flos (MF) is the dried flower buds of Magnolia denudata or related species and a botanical drug officially listed in the Pharmacopoeia of Asian Countries
MTT assay was performed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of MF on glutamate-induced death of HT22 cells
MF (100 μg/ml) recovered cell viability to 80.83 ± 7.34% of the control, whereas the viability of the 2 mM glutamate-treated group decreased to 63.77 ± 7.11%

Summary

Introduction

The Magnoliae Flos (MF) is the dried flower buds of Magnolia denudata or related species and a botanical drug officially listed in the Pharmacopoeia of Asian Countries. The herbal drug has been used for managing nasal congestion with headache, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis[1]. It has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including antirheumatic, antiangiogenic, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities[2]. Glutamate-induced oxidative toxicity has been described in neuronal cell lines, primary neuronal cultures, and oligodendrocytes. This oxidative neuronal death pathway is thought to contribute to neuronal injury and degeneration in many brain disorders[7,8]. We examined the protective effect of MF against glutamate-induced oxidative stress in a mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line

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