Spinacia oleracea Extract Protects against Chemical-Induced Neuronal Cell Death
Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: To investigate the potential therapeutic value of a plant extract against amyloid β-peptide-induced$ cell damage, we first screened extracts of 250 herbs, and finally selected a water extract of Spinacia oleracea for further study. This extractshowed the potential to inhibit the reactions of oxidants. We measured the angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of the extract, and assessed the ability of the extract to protect neuronal cells from chemical-induced cell death. SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were used in this assay. The extract exerted protective effects on H₂O₂-induced$ cell death, when H₂O₂ was used at 100 M, 200 M, and 500 M (protection of 87%, 73%, and 58%, respectively). When 50 M of amyloid β-peptide$ was added to the test cells, however, the extract had no protective effect on cell death. The extract inhibited ACE activity in a dose-dependent manner, and exhibited potent protection against the deleterious effects of H₂O₂. In sum, these results suggest that a water extract of Spinacia oleracea has the potential to afford protection against chemical-induced neuronal cell death, and the extract may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The precise molecular mechanism of neuroprotection is under investigation.
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W810278466