pectins and Neurodegenerative-Diseases

In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective activities of ginseng pectin (GP) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced neuronal toxicity in different neuronal cells. GP selectively attenuated H2O2-induced damage up to 26% in primary cortical neuron cells and human glioblastoma U87 cells. Following H2O2 exposure, DAPI staining and neuron-specific β-tubulin antibody probing indicated that GP maintained cell integrity and decreased nuclei condensation. Data from western blot analysis revealed that pre-treatment with GP increased the phosphorylation of both the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and Akt in cortical neuron cells. However, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was increased, but that of Akt was decreased in U87 cells. These results suggest that the protective effects of GP against H2O2-induced apoptosis may be due to the activation of the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt; however, the mechanisms involved differ depending on the cell line. This neuroprotective property indicates that GP could serve as a potential therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases.

Topics: Animals; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Nucleus; Cell Survival; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Mice; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neuroprotective Agents; Oxidants; Panax; Pectins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt