Punica granatum Protects Against Oxidative Stress in PC12 Cells and Oxidative Stress-Induced Alzheimer's Symptoms in Mice

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive degenerative brain disorder that is characterized by neuronal loss, neurofibrillary tangles, and the abnormal deposition of senile plaque and amyloid beta peptide (A beta). The brains of AD patients are under intense oxidative stress. The overproduction of A beta leads to A beta-associated free radical oxidative stress. In this study, the antioxidative and neuronal protective effects of Punica granatum extract were investigated against oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. The ethanol extracts of P. granatum protected PC12 cells from hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced oxidative stress. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction assays revealed a significant increase in cell viability when oxidatively stressed PC12 cells were treated with the P. granatum extract. To examine the effects of P. granatum on A beta(1-42)-induced learning and memory impairment in mice, in vivo behavioral tests were performed. Treatment with the extract of P. granatum increased step-through latency in mice injected with A beta(1-42). The results of this study suggest that the ethanol extract of P. granatum mitigated H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells. In addition, the extract inhibited neuronal cell death caused by A beta-induced oxidative stress and A beta-induced learning and memory deficiency.