Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of sesamol against rotenone-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells associated with Parkinsonism.Methods: SH-SY5Y cells were maintained in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. After differentiation, the cells were incubated with rotenone (20 μM) and sesamol at different concentrations (10-100 μM). Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay. The reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential and nuclear morphology were determined by dichlorofluorescein diacetate, rhodamine 123 and 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, respectively. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase and glutathione level were determined by standard assays.
Results:Sesamol significantly increased the cell viability and decreased the rotenone-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells. Sesamol antagonized rotenone-induced reactive oxygen species generation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and nuclear damage. Sesamol also decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level, increased the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and increased the level of glutathione in rotenone-induced cells.
Conclusion:The results obtained strongly indicate the promising neuroprotective role of sesamol against rotenone-induced death in SH-SY5Y cells.