Effects of gynosaponin TN-2 on L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells

Neuroreport. 2018 Jan 3;29(1):1-5. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0000000000000912.

Abstract

Gynosaponins have pharmacological effects on 3,4-L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA)-related or dopamine-related neurological diseases; however, the neuroprotective functions of single compound of gynosaponins remain undefined. This study investigated the cytotoxic effects of gynosaponin TN-2 on L-DOPA in pheochromocytoma 12 cells. Gynosaponin TN-2, at 0.5-3 μM, did not exhibit cytotoxicity and protected against L-DOPA (100 and 200 μM)-induced cell death. Gynosaponin TN-2 (0.5 and 1.0 μM) inhibited the L-DOPA (100 and 200 μM)-induced sustained extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 phosphorylation. Gynosaponin TN-2 at 0.5 and 1.0 μM also reduced L-DOPA (100 and 200 μM)-induced JNK1/2 phosphorylation and cleaved caspase-3 expression. These results suggested that gynosaponin TN-2 exerts protective effects on L-DOPA (100 and 200 μM)-induced apoptotic cell death by modulating extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 activation in pheochromocytoma 12 cells.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiparkinson Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gynostemma / chemistry
  • Levodopa / pharmacology*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • PC12 Cells / drug effects
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Saponins / chemistry
  • Saponins / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Saponins
  • gynosaponin TN-2
  • Levodopa
  • Caspase 3