Effect of Aged Garlic Extract on Caspase-3 Activity, In Vitro

Abstract

In neurodegeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), apoptosis results in the loss of valuable neurons. A key mechanism in apoptosis is the activation of caspase-3. Caspase-3 activity first becomes detectable early in apoptosis, continues to increase as cells undergo apoptosis, and rapidly declines in late stages of apoptosis. Its activity is an early marker of cells undergoing apoptosis. Caspase-3 catalyzes the formation of beta-amyloid peptide, a hallmark of AD. The purpose of the study was to determine whether dietary aged garlic extract (AGE), with known antioxidant properties and neuroprotection against Alzheimer's beta-amyloid cytotoxicity, inhibits the caspase-3 activity in vitro. Caspase-3 activity was assayed according to the prescribed protocol and incubated overnight at ambient temperature. We report that AGE inhibits caspase-3 in dose dependent manner. Caspase-8 was not inhibited by AGE. As a caspase-3 inhibitor, AGE may be effective in reducing apoptotic death of neurons since caspase inhibitors have been shown to inhibit neuronal cell death. We propose a scheme for the ameliorative effect of AGE on deleterious effects of beta-amyloid and possibly uncontrolled caspase-3 activity.

A study of the neurotoxic effects of tramadol and cannabis in adolescent male albino rats

“…61 Surprisingly, Sarikaya and Gülçin proved that serotonin possess antioxidant and radical scavenging capacity by different in vitro methodologies. 62 Subsequently, in the current study, increased serotonergic activity could be considered as a compensatory mechanism to scavenge free radicals generated by tramadol, cannabis and their concurrent abuse.…”

Utilization of Dried Garlic Powder and α-Tocopherol to Improve the Shelf-life of Emulsion-type Sausage during Refrigerated Storage

“…It has long been known that garlic has beneficial effects in animals, including antioxidant, antiviral, and antifungal activities (Harris et al, 2001;Jackson et al, 2002). Previous research has suggested that these functions are mainly attributed to the bioactive components present in garlic, including sulfur-containing compounds, such as alliin, allicin, and diallyl sulfides (Amagase et al, 2001).…”

Sauchinone, a Lignan from Saururus chinensis, Inhibits Staurosporine-Induced Apoptosis in C6 Rat Glioma Cells

“…16) To test the possible involvement of caspase-3 in ST-induced apoptosis and the inhibition by sauchinone, we measured the caspase-3 activity of C6 cells treated with ST in the presence or absence of sauchinone by measuring fluorescence generated from proteolytic cleavage of Ac-DEVD-AFC (50 mM). As shown in Fig.…”

“…14,15) Both in vitro and in vivo evidence implicates caspase-3 as an important factor in neuronal apoptosis, especially under pathologic conditions. 16) Saururus chinensis (LOUR.) BAILL.…”