Spirafolide from bay leaf (Laurus nobilis) prevents dopamine-induced apoptosis by decreasing reactive oxygen species production in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells

• Published in: Archives of pharmacal research 2010, 33(12), , pp.1953-1958
• Main Authors: Ham, Ahrom, Kim, Bora, Koo, Uk, Nam, Kung-Woo, Lee, Sung-Jin, Kim, Kyeong Ho, Shin, Jongheon, Mar, Woongchon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apoptosis - drug effects; Benzoxazines; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival - drug effects; Dopamine - pharmacology; Humans; Laurus; Medicine; Neurodegenerative Diseases - drug therapy; Neurons - cytology; Neurons - drug effects; Neurons - metabolism; Neuroprotective Agents - chemistry; Neuroprotective Agents - isolation & purification; Neuroprotective Agents - pharmacology; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Pharmacy; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Leaves; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Sesquiterpenes - chemistry; Sesquiterpenes - isolation & purification; Sesquiterpenes - pharmacology; 약학
• ISSN: 0253-6269; 1976-3786
• DOI: 10.1007/s12272-010-1210-5

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important mediators in many neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. This study tested the neuroprotective effects of spirafolide, a compound purified from the leaves of Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae), against dopamine (DA)-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Following a 24-h exposure of cells to DA (final conc., 0.6 mM), we observed a marked increase in apoptosis, increased generation of ROS and decreased cell viability. Pretreatment of the cells for 24 h with spirafolide (0.4, 2, and 10 μM) before exposure to DA notably increased cell survival ( p < 0.01) and lowered intracellular ROS levels ( p < 0.01). These results indicate that spirafolide has neuroprotective effects against DA toxicity. These effects may contribute to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.