Protective effects of aloe-emodin on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice and H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells.

Abstract

Aloe-emodin (AE) is one of the most important active components of Rheum officinale Baill. The present study aimed to investigate that AE could attenuate scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits via inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and modulating oxidative stress. Kunming (KM) mice were received intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine (2 mg/kg) to induce cognitive impairment. Learning and memory performance were assessed in the Morris water maze (MWM). After behavioral testing, the mice were sacrificed and their hippocampi were removed for biochemical assays (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), AChE and acetylcholine (ACh)). In vitro, we also performed the AChE activity assay and H₂O₂-induced PC12 cells toxicity assay. After 2 h exposure to 200 μM H₂O₂ in PC12 cells, the cytotoxicity were evaluated by cell viability (MTT), nitric oxide (NO)/lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Our results confirmed that AE showed significant improvement in cognitive deficit in scopolamine-induced amnesia animal model. Besides, it increased SOD, GPx activities and ACh content, while decreased the level of MDA and AChE activity in AE treated mice. In addition, AE was found to inhibit AChE activity (IC₅₀ = 18.37 μg/ml) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, preincubation of PC12 cells with AE could prevent cytotoxicity induced by H₂O₂ and reduce significantly extracellular release of NO, LDH and intracellular accumulation of ROS. The study indicated that AE could have neuroprotective effects against Alzheimer's disease (AD) via inhibiting the activity of AChE and modulating oxidative stress.

• Authors: Li Tao, Jianmei Xie, Yuting Wang, Shi Wang, Shuangchan Wu, Qiman Wang, Hong Ding
• Journal: Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters (Bioorg Med Chem Lett) Vol. 24 Issue 23 Pg. 5385-9 (Dec 01 2014) ISSN: 1464-3405 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25453793 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biological Products
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Scopolamine
• Emodin

Topics

• Animals
• Biological Products
• Emodin (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Hydrogen Peroxide (pharmacology)
• Memory Disorders (drug therapy)
• Mice
• Oxidative Stress (drug effects)
• PC12 Cells
• Rats
• Scopolamine (adverse effects, pharmacology)