In vitro neuroprotective effects of boophone disticha, brunsvigia bosmaniae and strumaria truncata extracts in SH-SY5Y cells

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease. The pathological hallmarks of PD are defined by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta of the midbrain, with its characteristic clinical motor and non-motor symptoms. Current treatments for PD are mainly palliative; hence, novel neuroprotective and therapeutic approaches are needed. This study investigated the potential neuroprotective effects of three Amaryllidaceae plant extracts, Boophone disticha, Brunsvigia bosmaniae, and Strumaria truncata, in an in vitro model of PD involving the exposure of SH-SY5Y cell lines to the MPP+ neurotoxin. The protective effects of the three medicinal plants on cell viability were evaluated. The mechanism of the induced neuroprotection was investigated by measuring intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, nitric oxide (NO) levels, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, caspase 3 activity, and autophagy levels in the SH-SY5Y cells. The results showed that treatment with the extracts was protective against the toxicity induced by MPP+ in the SH-SY5Y cells. This was demonstrated by the significant increase in cell viability in the MPP+-treated cells, attenuation of intracellular ROS and NO levels, caspase 3 activity, and increased ATP activity. These findings suggest that the three extracts could be sources of novel bioactive agents with possible neuroprotective activities owing to their anti-apoptotic and antioxidant activities. Further studies are recommended to characterise the constituent compounds in these extracts to support their potential as drug discovery and development candidates.