Bacopamonnieri Protects SH-SY5Y Cells Against tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide-induced Cell Death via the ERK and PI3K Pathways

Objective: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathological processes of various neurodegenerative diseases. Bacopa monnieri (BM) has a potent antioxidant property. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of BM against SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell death induced by the pro-oxidant insult, tert -Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), and to identify possible mechanisms related to its neuroprotective action. Methods: The neuroprotective effect of BM was evaluated by the degree of protection against TBHP-induced cell death in human SH-SY5Y cells that was measured by calcein-AM assay. ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation was evaluated by immunoblotting. Results: We found that BM exhibited protection against TBHP-mediated cytotoxicity. The neuroprotective effect of BM was abolished in the presence of either ERK1/2 or PI3K inhibitors. In addition, western blotting with anti-phospho-ERK1/2 and anti-phospho-Akt antibodies showed that BM increased both ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation. Conc lusion: These results suggest that BM by activation of ERK/MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways protects SH-SY5Y cells from TBHP-induced cell death. Keywords: Bacopa monnieri, tert -Butyl Hydroperoxide, SH-SY5Y cells, ERK1/2, PI3K