Neuroprotective effects of Paeonia Lactiflora extract against cell death of dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells is mediated by epigenetic modulation.

Background The Paeonia lactiflora extract (PLE) has been reported to have neuroprotective effect against neurodegeneration that are induced by cellular stress such as oxidative stress. Its underlying mechanisms, however, remain unclear. In latest decades, emerging evidence has suggested that epigenetic mechanisms play a key role in gene regulation in response to the cellular stress. We investigated whether epigenetic modulation was involved in neuronal cell death by the neurotoxicant, 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), and the neuroprotective effect of PLE.