Arzneimittelforschung 2012; 62(12): 583-589
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1327612
Original Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Neuroprotective Action and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Guttiferone-A, a Naturally Occurring Prenylated Benzophenone

Y. Nuñez-Figueredo
1   Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos, La Habana, Cuba
,
L. García-Pupo
1   Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos, La Habana, Cuba
,
J. Ramírez-Sánchez
1   Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos, La Habana, Cuba
,
Y. Alcántara-Isaac
1   Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos, La Habana, Cuba
,
O. Cuesta-Rubio
2   Departamento de Farmacia, Instituto de Farmacia y Alimentos, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana, Cuba
,
R. D. Hernández
1   Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos, La Habana, Cuba
,
Z. Naal
3   Departamento de Física y Química, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas de Ribeirao Preto, Universidad de Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brasil
,
C. Curti
3   Departamento de Física y Química, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas de Ribeirao Preto, Universidad de Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brasil
,
G. L. Pardo-Andreu
4   Centro de Estudio para las Investigaciones y Evaluaciones Biológicas, Instituto de Farmacia y Alimentos, Universidad de La Habana, Ciudad Habana, Cuba
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 24 April 2012

accepted 17 September 2012

Publication Date:
31 October 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important mediators in a number of neurodegenerative diseases and molecules capable of scavenging ROS may be a feasible strategy for protecting neuronal cells. We previously demonstrated a powerful iron-chelating action of Guttiferone-A (GA), a naturally occurring polyphenol, on oxidative stress injuries initiated by iron overload. Here we addressed the neuroprotective potential of GA in hydrogen peroxide and glutamate-induced injury on rat’s primary culture of cortical neurons and PC12 cells, respectively, and antioxidant properties concerning scavenging and anti-lipoperoxidative activities in cell-free models. The decrease in cell viability induced by each of the toxins, assessed by [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay, was significantly attenuated by GA. In addition, GA was found to be a potent antioxidant, as shown by (i) inhibition of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical reduction (EC50=20.0 μM), (ii) prevention against chemically or electrochemically generated superoxide radicals, (iii) inhibition of spontaneous brain lipid peroxidation and (iv) interference with the Fenton reaction. These results indicate that GA exerts neuroprotective effects against H2O2 or glutamate toxicity and its antioxidant activity, demonstrated in vitro, could be at least partly involved. They also suggest a promising potential for GA as a therapeutic agent against neurodegenerative diseases involving ROS and oxidative damage.