Shikonin Protects PC12 Cells Against β-amyloid Peptide-Induced Cell Injury Through Antioxidant and Antiapoptotic Activities.

ABSTRACT: Excessive accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) is thought to be a major causative factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Pretreating Aβ-induced neurotoxicity is a potential therapeutic approach to ameliorate the progression and development of AD. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of shikonin, a naphthoquinone pigment isolated from the roots of the traditional Chinese herb Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on Aβ_1-42-treated neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. Pretreating cells with shikonin strongly improved cell viability, decreased the malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, and stabilized the mitochondrial membrane potential in Aβ_1-42-induced PC12 cells. In addition, shikonin strongly improved the response of the anti

SUBMITTER: Tong Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5758797 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature