Protection against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP +)-induced apoptosis by water extract of ginseng ( Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) in SH-SY5Y cells

The present study investigates the protective effects of water extract of ginseng ( Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP +)-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells and explores the underlying mechanisms. The approach may be used for screening therapeutic agents for degenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease. SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were used to analyze the protective effects of water extract of ginseng (WEG) against multiple parameters such as MPP +-induced viability, oxidative injury, expression of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c and cleaved caspase-3. WEG exerted inhibitory effect on cell death, overproduction of ROS, elevated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3 expression in MPP +-treated SH-SY5Y cells. WEG exhibited significant protective effects against MPP +-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells possibly through the suppression of ROS generation and the inhibition of mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway.