Planta Med 2006; 72 - P_191
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-949991

Are cinnamic acids responsible for in vitro neuroprotection exerted by Bryothamnion triquetrum (S.G.Gmelin) Howe aqueous extract?

A Fallarero 1, 4, P Tammela 2, J Loikkanen 3, A Vidal 4, P Vuorela 1
  • 1- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Åbo Akademi University, FIN-20520 Åbo, Finland
  • 2- Viikki Biocenter, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland
  • 3- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kuopio, FIN-7021, Kuopio, Finland
  • 4- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, CP 10400, Ciudad Habana, Cuba

Three cinnamic acids: ferulic (FA), p-coumaric (p-CA) and trans-cinnamic acids (t-CA) have been identified as constituents of Bryothamnion triquetrum (S. G. Gmelin) Howe aqueous extract, a product that has been reported to exert different in vitro neuroprotective properties [1, 2, 3]. In current study, it was analyzed the effect of these three cinnamic acids in different models of oxidative stress, with the purpose of elucidating their contribution to the in vitro neuroprotective properties of B. triquetrum extract. GT1–7 cells were exposed to chemical agents that induce oxidative neuronal death: H2O2; H2O2 + FeSO4; 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1) and methyl mercury (MeHg) and the protective effect of cinnamic acids, when added immediately before toxic compounds, was assessed. At the end of the insulting period, GT1–7 cells viability was measured by using propidium iodide fluorometric assay [2]. Treatments were compared using ANOVA and Tukey's Multiple Comparison tests. The protective effect of FA was proved to occur in all the 4 examined cytotoxicity models. Results showed that FA can at least partially mimic the neuroprotective effect of B. triquetrum extract, although some other antioxidant compounds are still required to reach the extract maximal protective effect. However, no protection was observed after exposure to p-CA or t-CA, and no increase in FA protection was registered when adding p-CA and t-CA to FA, as they naturally occurs in the extract. In summary, this investigation showed evidences of the contribution exerted by FA to the in vitro neuroprotective effect of B. triquetrum aqueous extract, in the models of neuronal cell death induced by H2O2; H2O2 + FeSO4; SIN-1 and MeHg.

References: 1. Vidal, A., Motidome, M. et al. (2001), Braz. J. Pharm. Sci. 37: 373–382. 2. Fallarero, A., Loikkanen, J.J. et al. (2003), Phytomedicine. 10: 39–47. 3. Fallarero, A., Peltoketo, A. et al. (2006). Phytomedicine. 13: 240–245.