Pectolinarin Against Amyloid-beta-induced Neuroinflammation and Apoptosis In vitro

An excess of amyloid beta (Aβ) led to a rise in ROS production, which in turn caused inflammatory reactions and mitochondrial dysfunction, both of which accelerate the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Natural flavonoids are proposed as possible agents for neurodegeneration. Pectolinarin is an important flavone mainly found in Cirsium species. In this study, we explored the potential neuroprotective effect of pectolinarin in Aβ_25-35-induced SH-SY5Y cells. The result demonstrated that pectolinarin enhanced cell viability. Pectolinarin treatment inhibited Aβ_25-35-induced ROS generation. Pectolinarin also suppressed NO generation by inhibiting the translocation of NF-ĸB and downregulating protein expression of iNOS and COX-2. Moreover, the expression of Bcl-2 increased while BAX protein decreased when the cells were exposed to pectolinarin, resulting in a decrease in the BAX/Bcl-2 ratio. Pectolinarin treatment also increased BDNF and its receptor TrkB protein expression. In conclusion, pectolinarin neuroprotected Aβ_25-35-induced inflammation and apoptosis. These findings suggest that pectolinarin may be a promising neuroprotective functional food in the protection of the neurodegenerative diseases, including AD.