Taurine exerts neuroprotective effects via anti-apoptosis in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats

정지은,김태열,박혜진,이계향,이정훈,최은진,김진경,정혜리,서억수,김우택 대한소아청소년과학회 2009 Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics (CEP) Vol.52 No.12

Purpose:Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a simple sulfur-containing amino acid. It is abundantly present in tissues such as brain, retina, heart, and skeletal muscles. Current studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of taurine, but limited data are available for such effects during neonatal period. The aim of this study was to determine whether taurine could reduce hypoxic-ischemic (HI) cerebral injury via anti-apoptosis mechanism. Methods:Embryonic cortical neurons isolated from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 18 days gestation were cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into hypoxia group, taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, and taurine-treated group after HI insult. In the in vivo model, left carotid artery ligation was performed in 7-day-old SD rat pups. The pups were exposed to hypoxia, administered an injection of 30 mg/kg of taurine, and killed at 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after the hypoxic insult. We compared the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 among the 3 groups by using real- time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting. Results:The cells in the taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, although similar in appearance to those in the normoxia group, were lesser in number. In the taurine-treated group, Bcl-2 expression increased, whereas Bax and caspase-3 expressions reduced. Conclusion:Taurine exerts neuroprotective effects onperinatal HI brain injury due to its anti-apoptotic effect. The neuroprotective effect was maximal at 1–2 weeks after the hypoxic injury. Purpose:Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a simple sulfur-containing amino acid. It is abundantly present in tissues such as brain, retina, heart, and skeletal muscles. Current studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of taurine, but limited data are available for such effects during neonatal period. The aim of this study was to determine whether taurine could reduce hypoxic-ischemic (HI) cerebral injury via anti-apoptosis mechanism. Methods:Embryonic cortical neurons isolated from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 18 days gestation were cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into hypoxia group, taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, and taurine-treated group after HI insult. In the in vivo model, left carotid artery ligation was performed in 7-day-old SD rat pups. The pups were exposed to hypoxia, administered an injection of 30 mg/kg of taurine, and killed at 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after the hypoxic insult. We compared the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 among the 3 groups by using real- time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting. Results:The cells in the taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, although similar in appearance to those in the normoxia group, were lesser in number. In the taurine-treated group, Bcl-2 expression increased, whereas Bax and caspase-3 expressions reduced. Conclusion:Taurine exerts neuroprotective effects onperinatal HI brain injury due to its anti-apoptotic effect. The neuroprotective effect was maximal at 1–2 weeks after the hypoxic injury.

MPP+로 유도된 파킨슨병 세포 모델에서 Hepad S9-1의 신경세포 보호 효과

목서희,박병준,주인환,박종민,김동희 한의병리학회 2023 동의생리병리학회지 Vol.37 No.4

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Levodopa has a good effect for a period of two to five years, but long-term use reduces the effectiveness of the drug and accompanies side effects. To date, there is no strategy that has been able of fundamental treatment of Parkinson's disease. We developed Hepad S9-1 composed of 5 herbal materials (Paeonia lactiflora Pallas, Uncaria sinensis Havil, Spatholobus suberectus Dunn, Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer). This in vitro study was conducted to search a novel disease-modifying drug, observing the effect of Hepad S9-1, a plant derived compounds on the apoptotic process of PC12 cells which was induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to determine the effect of MMP+ or Hepad S9-1 on cell viability in PC12 cells. In addition, we examined cell protective effect of Hepad S9-1 in MPP+-induced PC12 cells. And gene and protein expression level of various factors that regulate apoptosis were confirmed by real-time PCR and western blot analysis. As a result of the study, Hepad S9-1 significantly inhibited MPP+-induced neuronal cell death. Also, Hepad S9-1 inhibited apoptosis-inducing Bcl-2 associated X (Bax) gene and protein expression, cytochrome C protein expression, caspase-9, caspase-7, caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) activation. In addition, the neuroprotective ability was objectively confirmed by up-regulating the genes and proteins expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xl) that defend at apoptosis. Therefore, it seems that Hepad S9-1 can be additionally applied to the treatment of Parkinson's disease to suppress the progression of dopaminergic neuronal cell death.

글루타메이트로 유도된 쥐 해마 HT22 세포의 산화적 손상에 대한 서양민들레 지상부의 뇌신경세포 보호활성

리빈,이동성,최현규,김경수,지혜영,노정미,김기모,김윤철,Li, Bin,Lee, Dong-Sung,Choi, Hyun-Gyu,Kim, Kyung-Su,Ji, Hye-Young,Rho, Jung-Mi,Kim, Ki-Mo,Kim, Youn-Chul 대한약학회 2011 약학회지 Vol.55 No.4

Glutamate-induced oxidative injury contributes to neuronal degeneration in many central nervous system (CNS) diseases, such as epilepsy and ischemia. Inducible heme oxygenase (HO)-1 acts against oxidants that are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of the standard extracts of Taraxacum officinale Weber, one of the original plants of Taraxaci Herba, on glutamate-induced oxidative injury in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells. The standard EtOH extract of the aerial parts of T. officinale (NNMBS270) showed significant cytoprotective effects on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity and induced the expression of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in the mouse hippocampal HT22 cells, while the roots' extract (NNMBS271) did not show neuroprotective effect. These results suggest that the extract of the aerial parts of T. officinale could be an effective candidate for the treatment of ROS-related neurological diseases.

시호(柴胡)의 뇌해마 신경세포 보호효능에 대한 연구

이원철,신광식,Lee, Won-Chul,Shin, Kwang-Sik 대한한방내과학회 2004 大韓韓方內科學會誌 Vol.25 No.4

Objective : This study was performed to investigate neuroprotective effects of Bupleuri Radix against oxidative and ischemic damages. Method : To observe the neuroprotective effects against ischemic damage, ischemic insult was induced by oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD) on organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSC) from 1 week-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Propidium iodide (PI) fluorescence-stained neuronal dead-cell areas, area percentages and TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells in CA1 and dentate gyrus, and LDH levels in culture media of the OHSC were measured following Bupleuri Radix extract treatment. Result : The following results were obtained: (1) The $5\;{\mu}g/ml$ of Bupleuri Radix treatment demonstrated a significant decrease in PI fluorescence-stained neuronal dead-cell areas and area percentage in CA1 region of the OHSC from 18 hrs to 48 hrs following the OGD. The $50\;{\mu}g/ml$ of Bupleuri Radix treatment was also significant from 6 hrs to 48 hrs following the OGD and was more effective. (2) The 5 and $50\;{\mu}g/ml$ of Bupleuri Radix treatment demonstrated a significant decrease in PI fluorescence-stained neuronal dead-cell areas and area percentage in DG region of the OHSC from 6 hrs to 48 hrs following the OGD. The $50\;{\mu}g/ml$ treatment was more effective than the $5\;{\mu}g/ml$ treatment. (3) Bupleuri Radix treatment demonstrated a significant decrease in TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells in CA1 region (with 5 and $50\;{\mu}g/ml$) and in DG region (with $50\;{\mu}g/ml$) of the OHSC damaged by the OGD. (4) Bupleuri Radix treatment demonstrated a significant decrease in LDH concentrations in culture media of the OHSC damaged by the OGD. Conclusion : These results suggest that Bupleuri Radix has neuroprotective and control effects on inflammatory and immune responses where there has been ischemic damage to the central nervous system.

Physicochemical Analysis of Yogurt Produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides H40 and Its Effects on Oxidative Stress in Neuronal Cells

Lee, Na-Kyoung,Lim, Sung-Min,Cheon, Min-Jeong,Paik, Hyun-Dong Korean Society for Food Science of Animal Resource 2021 한국축산식품학회지 Vol.41 No.2

Leuconostoc mesenteroides H40 (H40) was isolated from kimchi, and its probiotic properties and neuroprotective effect was evaluated in oxidatively stressed SH-SY5Y cells. H40 was stable in artificial gastric conditions and can be attached in HT-29 cells. In addition, H40 did not produce β-glucuronidase and showed resistant to several antibiotics. The conditioned medium (CM) was made using HT-29 cells refined with heat-killed probiotics (Probiotics-CM) and heated yogurts (Y-CM) to investigate the neuroprotective effect. Treatment with H40-CM not only increased cell viability but also significantly improved brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) expression and reduced the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in oxidatively stress-induced SH-SY5Y cells. Besides, probiotic Y-CM significantly increased BDNF mRNA expression and decreased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. The physicochemical properties of probiotic yogurt with H40 was not significantly different from the control yogurt. The viable cell counts of lactic acid bacteria in control and probiotic yogurt with H40 was 8.66 Log CFU/mL and 8.96 Log CFU/mL, respectively. Therefore, these results indicate that H40 can be used as prophylactic functional dairy food having neuroprotective effects.

포도당으로 유도된 in vitro 뇌신경세포 독성에 대한 다래 순 아세트산에틸 분획물의 보호 효과

유슬기(Seul Ki Yoo),박선경(Seon Kyeong Park),김종민(Jong Min Kim),강진용(Jin Yong Kang),박수빈(Su Bin Park),한혜주(Hye Ju Han),김철우(Chul-Wo Kim),이욱(Uk Lee),허호진(Ho Jin Heo) 한국식품과학회 2018 한국식품과학회지 Vol.50 No.5

본 연구에서는 다래 순 아세트산에틸 분획물(ethyl acetate fraction from Actiniadin arguta sprout; EFAS)의 in vitro 산화방지활성 및 고포도당으로 인한 산화적 스트레스로부터의 뇌신경세포 보호 효과를 검증하였다. EFAS은 상대적으로 우수한 총 폴리페놀(246.25 mg GAE/g) 및 총 플라보노이드(571.59 mg RE/g) 함량을 나타내었으며, 이로 인한 ABTS 라디칼 제거 활성(IC<SUB>50</SUB>=252.00 μg/mL) 및 MDA 생성 억제 활성(IC<SUB>50</SUB>=42.70 μg/mL)을 보여주었다. EFAS의 in vitro 항당뇨 활성은 알파글루코사이드 가수분해효소와 최종당화산물 생성 억제 활성을 통해 측정하였으며 각각 99.18과 85.19 μg/mL의 IC<SUB>50</SUB> 값을 나타냈고, 뇌신경전달물질인 아세틸콜린의 세포 내 유지 효과를 아세틸콜린 분해효소 억제 활성을 통해 측정하였을 때 164.20 μg/mL의 IC<SUB>50</SUB> 값을 나타냈다. 또한 인간 유래 MC-IXC 뇌신경세포에 과산화수소와 고포도당을 처리하여 산화적 스트레스를 유발시켜 뇌신경세포 사멸에 대해 우수한 보호효과를 보여주었다. 마지막으로 HPLC를 통하여, EFAS의 주요 생리활성 물질을 분석한 결과는 루틴으로 유추되었으며, 그 함량은 123.76 μg/mL of dried weight로 분석되었다. 이상의 결과로부터 다래 순 분획물(EFAS)이 알파글루코사이드 가수분해효소 및 최종당화산물 생성 억제를 통해 식후 혈당의 급격한 상승을 예방할 수 있는 항당뇨 소재로의 가능성뿐만 아니라, 고포도당에서 유래되는 산화적 스트레스로부터 뇌신경세포 보호 및 뇌신경전달물질 체계 개선을 통한 당뇨성 퇴행성뇌질환 등의 합병증을 예방할 수 있는 고부가가치 식품 소재로의 활용 가능성을 확인하였다. The current study investigated in vitro anti-diabetic and neuroprotective effects of the ethyl acetate fraction in Actinidia arguta sprouts (EFAS), on H₂O₂ and high glucose-induced cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma MC-IXC cells. EFAS had high total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. An assessment of 2,2`-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity of EFAS, as well as its potential for inhibiting malondialdehyde production, indicated that EFAS may possess significant antioxidant properties. EFAS exerted inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase via glycemic regulation which forms advanced glycation end products. In addition, EFAS exhibited significant acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects. Moreover, EFAS displayed protective effects against H₂O₂ and high glucose-induced cell death, and inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species in MC-IXC cells. Finally, the main physiological compound of EFAS was identified via high performance liquid chromatography as a rutin.

SK-N-SH 신경세포내 항산화 효과와 p38 인산화 억제에 의한 곤드레, 누룩치 그리고 산마늘의 신경 보호 효과

정미자(Mi Ja Chung),박용일(Yong Il Park),권기한(Ki Han Kwon) 한국식품영양과학회 2015 한국식품영양과학회지 Vol.44 No.3

신경계 질환은 산화적 스트레스에 의한 신경세포 손상에 의해 발생하는 것이 하나의 기전으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구는 H₂O₂에 의해 유도된 산화적 스트레스에 대항하여 곤드레(Cirsium setidens, CS), 누룩치(Pleurospermum kamtschaticumin, PK) 그리고 산마늘(Allium victorials, AV)의 뇌신경 보호 효과 및 그 기전에 대한 것이다. CS와 AV 처리는 대조군과 비교하여 400 μg/mL까지 인간의 신경세포주인 SK-N-SH 세포에 대해 세포독성이 없었다. 산화적 유도자인 H₂O₂를 SK-N-SH 세포에 처리하였을 때 세포사멸 및 활성산소종(ROS) 생산이 현저하게 증가하였으나 CS 또는 AV 처리에 의해 산화적 스트레스에 의해 증가된 세포사멸과 ROS 생산이 현저하게 감소하였다. 실험한 산채 중에 CS와 PK가 AV보다 더 강한 DPPH 라디칼 소거 작용이 있었으나 PK는 대조군과 비교하여 SK-N-SH 세포를 사멸시키는 강한 세포독성을 가지고 있었다. CS는 AV보다 산화적 스트레스에 대항하여 세포사멸 및 ROS 생성에 더 높은 저해적 영향력을 보여주었다. 따라서 계속되는 실험에는 CS를 사용하였다. CS의 순차적 용매 분획물들인 헥산, 클로로포름, 에틸아세테이트, 부탄올 및 물 분획물들(CS-HE, CS-CH, CS-EA, CS-BU, CS-AQ)은 산화적 스트레스에 대항하여 SK-N-SH 세포사멸 및 세포내 ROS 생성을 억제하였다. CS-EA는 5개의 분획물들 중 가장 강한 DPPH 라디칼 소거 작용 및 세포내 ROS 소거 활성을 가지고 있었고, 가장 강한 뇌신경세포 보호 효과를 가지고 있었다. CS-EA는 산화적 스트레스에 의해 증가된 세포자멸사(apoptosis)의 신호전달 경로에 관여하는 p38의 인산화를 저해함으로써 활성화 되는 것을 약화시켰다. 이 결과들은 CS-EA가 뇌신경세포에서 항산화 효과 및 p38 인산화 억제에 의한 뇌신경 보호 효과를 나타낼 것이라 제안하였다. Oxidative stress is one of the key mechanisms involved in neuronal damage. Neuroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of action of several wild vegetables, Cirsium setidens (CS), Pleurospermum kamtschaticumin (PK), and Allium victorials (AV), against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide in SK-N-SH cells were investigated. CS and AV up to 400 μg/mL showed no detectable effects on cell viability of human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells compared with control. Incubation of SK-N-SH cells with hydrogen peroxide resulted in significant induction of cell death and reaction oxygen species (ROS) production, whereas treatment of cells with CS and AV significantly reduced cell death and ROS production, respectively. Among the wild vegetables tested, CS and PK showed more effective DPPH radical scavenging activity than AV, whereas PK showed strong cytotoxicity in SK-N-SH cells compared with the control. CS showed much higher inhibitory effects on cell death and ROS generation against oxidative stress than AV. Thus, CS was selected for subsequent experiments. Ethyl acetate (EA), hexane, butanol, aqueous, and chloroform extracts from CS significantly inhibited cell death and ROS generation in SK-N-SH cells induced by oxidative stress. EA extract from CS (CS-EA) showed the highest DPPH radical-scavenging activity, intracellular ROS-scavenging activity, and neuroprotective effects. CS-EA attenuated apoptosis signal-regulating p38 activation by inhibiting phosphorylation. The findings suggest that CS-EA protects neuronal cells through antioxidant activity and inhibition of phosphorylation of p38 in brain neural cells.

아리큐민의 In-vitro 신경보호 효과

윤남규,김병권,유현열,서보승,신창호,김관규,이한주 국제문화기술진흥원 2022 The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technolo Vol.8 No.3

퇴행성 신경질환 치료를 위한 AChE inhibitor 관련 연구로써 생물학적 유용성을 높인 커큐민에 대한 연구를 수행하게 되었다. 본 연구의 목적은 아리큐민(강황추출물)에 대한 in vitro 신경보호 효과를 확인하는데 있다. 신경보 호효과를 확인하기 위해 아리큐민(강황추출물)에 대한 AChE inhibition을 평가하였고, HT-22 세포에 대한 세포생존 율을 분석하였으며, 산화스트레스(glutamate, H202) 유발에 따른 HT-22 세포생존을 확인하였다. 아리큐민(강황추출 물)의 AChE 저해율 변화결과 아리큐민 39.06㎍/㎖ 이상의 농도에서 약 20% 이상의 AChE 활성을 저해하는 것으로 확인하였다. 그리고 산화스트레스(glutamate 5 mM 및 H2O2 500 μM) 유발 HT-22 cell의 세포 독성을 0.01~0.1 mg/ml 농도에서부터 유의하게 억제하는 것을 확인하였다(p<0.05). 이와 같은 결과로 볼 때 아리큐민(강황추출물)은 신경보호 효과 효능이 우수한 것으로 확인되었다. This study was conducted on curcumin which had increased bioavailability as a potential AChE inhibitor for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The purpose of this study is to confirm the in vitro neuroprotective effect on Aricumin (turmeric extract). To confirm the neuroprotective effect, AChE inhibition for Aricumin was evaluated, and cell viability was analyzed for HT-22cell, and oxidative stress (glutamate, H2O2)-induced HT-22 cytotoxicity was evaluated. As a result of the change in the AChE inhibition rate of Aricumin (Turmeric extract), it was confirmed that Aricumin at a concentration of 39.06㎍/㎖ or higher inhibited AChE activity by about 20% and more. And it was confirmed that the cytotoxicity of HT-22 cells induced by oxidative stress (Gluamate 5 mM and H2O2 500 μM) was significantly inhibited from 0.01 to 0.1 mg/ml concentration (p<005). These results suggest that Aricumin (turmeric extract) have potential neuroprotective effects.

High Glucose로 유도된 산화 스트레스에 대한 황칠나무 잎 추출물의 뇌신경세포 보호 효과

김종민(Jong Min Kim),박선경(Seon Kyeong Park),궈텐쟈오(Tian Jiao Guo),강진용(Jin Yong Kang),하정수(Jeong Su Ha),이두상(Du Sang Lee),권오준(O-Jun Kwon),이욱(Uk Lee),허호진(Ho Jin Heo) 한국식품영양과학회 2016 한국식품영양과학회지 Vol.45 No.7

본 연구는 한국 고유 식용 자원인 황칠나무의 잎을 이용한 항산화 효과 및 고혈당으로 인한 신경/뇌신경세포 보호 효과를 알아보고자 실시하였다. 황칠나무 잎 추출물의 총폴리페놀 함량, ABTS와 DPPH 라디칼 소거 활성을 측정하였으며 활성이 가장 높은 80% 에탄올 추출물을 이용하여 극성 정도에 따라 분획을 하였다. 이들 중 ethyl acetate 분획물이 총 항산화력(FRAP assay)과 지질과산화물(MDA) 생성 억제 활성이 다른 분획물에 비하여 유의적으로 높은 값을 나타냈다. 이를 이용하여 신경세포로서의 PC12 세포와 인간 뇌 조직 유래 뇌신경세포로서의 MC-ⅨC 세포에서 H2O2와 고혈당에 의한 세포생존율을 측정하였고, ethyl acetate 분획물은 산화적 스트레스로부터의 효과적인 세포 보호 효과를 나타냈다. 또한, 뇌신경말단에서 신경전달물질(ACh)의 분해를 유발하는 효소(AChE)의 저해 효과를 측정하였고, ethyl acetate 분획물은 유의적인 AChE 저해 효과를 보였다. 마지막으로 황칠나무 잎 ethyl acetate 분획물의 생리활성물질을 확인하고자 HPLC 분석을 하였으며, 주요 생리활성 물질은 rutin으로 추정되었다. 이러한 연구 결과를 바탕으로 고려할 때 황칠나무 잎 추출물은 천연 항산화제의 역할을 가지고 있을 뿐만 아니라 이를 통해 산화적 스트레스로부터 뇌신경세포 등을 효과적으로 보호할 수 있으며 더불어 AChE 저해 활성을 통한 인지기능 개선 가능 소재로서 연구될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다. Antioxidant activities and neuroprotective effects of ethyl acetate fraction from Dendropanax morbifera (EFDM) against high glucose-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity were investigated to confirm their physiological activities. An 80% ethanolic extract of D. morbifera showed the highest contents of total phenolic compounds as well as 2,2"-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activities. The extract was fractionated using several solvents, and the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest activities in ferric reducing/antioxidant power and malondialdehyde inhibitory assays. To evaluate the neuroprotective effect based on antioxidant activities, cell viability was assessed using PC12 and MC-ⅨC cells in H₂O₂- and high glucose-induced cytotoxic assays, respectively. EFDM evidently showed neuroprotective effects in all cells (neuron-like PC12 cells and human brain-originated neuroblastoma MC-ⅨC cells). Inhibitory effect of the extract on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as an acetylcholine-hydrolyzing enzyme was performed to examine the effect on cognitive function. EFDM presented an AChE inhibitory effect. Finally, high-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that the major phenolic compound of EFDM is probably a rutin.

Procyanidin C1 Activates the Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway to Prevent Glutamate-Induced Apoptotic HT22 Cell Death

Song, Ji Hoon,Lee, Hae-Jeung,Kang, Ki Sung MDPI 2019 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES Vol.20 No.1

<P>Natural sources are very promising materials for the discovery of novel bioactive compounds with diverse pharmacological effects. In recent years, many researchers have focused on natural sources as a means to prevent neuronal cell death in neuropathological conditions. This study focused on identifying neuroprotective compounds and their underlying molecular mechanisms. Procyanidin C1 (PC-1) was isolated from grape seeds and assessed for biological effects against glutamate-induced HT22 cell death. The results showed that PC-1 strongly prevented glutamate-induced HT22 cell death. Moreover, PC-1 was also found to prevent glutamate-induced chromatin condensation and reduce the number of annexin V-positive cells indicating apoptotic cell death. Procyanidin C1 possessed a strong 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity and inhibited glutamate-induced accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and protein carbonylation. Additionally, PC-1 mediated nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 and increased the expression levels of heme oxygenase (HO-1). Inhibition of HO-1 by tin protoporphyrin, a synthetic inhibitor, reduced the protective effect of PC-1. Furthermore, PC-1 also blocked glutamate-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including ERK1/2 and p38, but not JNK. This study is the first experimental report to demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of PC-1 against glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 cells. Therefore, our results suggest that PC-1, as a potent bioactive compound of grape seeds, can prevent neuronal cell death in neuropathological conditions.</P>