P-165 - Korean red ginseng inhibits amyloid-β-induced cell death by decreasing mitochondrial ROS levels in human neuronal cells

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major neurodegenerative disorder which is characterized by amyloid-beta (Af3) plaque and neurofibrillary tangles. The accumulation of Af3 in the brain is a crucial feature of AD, which causes cell death in AD by evoking a cascade of oxidative damage to neuronal cells. Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been used as a traditional medicine in Asian countries. KRG has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. we investigated the effect of KRG on Af3-induced cytotoxicity in human neuronal SH-SY5Y cells. As a result, Af3 decreased cell viability and increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). KRG significantly suppressed viability loss and mitochondrial ROS production which was evoked by exposure to Af3. These results suggest that KRG attenuates the Af3-induced cell death by decreasing mitochondrial ROS levels in neuronal cells. In conclusion, KRG supplementation may be beneficial for preventing neuronal cell death in AD.