[Caffeic acid (CA) protects cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) from apoptosis induced by neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridnium (MPP+)].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of caffeic acid (CA) on MPP(+)-induced cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) apoptosis.

METHODS

CGNs were pretreated with caffeic acid at 55, 110 and 220 micromol/L for 6 h, then treated with 100 micromol/L MPP(+) for 24 h (concentration-effect relationship). In addition CGNs were pretreated with caffeic acid at 110 micromol/L for 0 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h, respectively, then treated with 100 micromol/L MPP(+) for 24 h (time-response relationship). Besides, after treatment with MPP(+) for 24 h, CGNs were incubated with caffeic acid at 55, 110 and 220 micromol/L, respectively. Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and caspase-3 activity was assayed by caspase-3 fluorometric assay kit.

RESULTS

MTT assay revealed that caffeic acid significantly inhibited cell viability decrease induced by MPP(+), and caspase-3 fluorometric assay showed that caffeic acid efficiently suppressed caspase-3 activation in CGNs induced by MPP(+).

CONCLUSION

Caffeic acid (CA) can significantly protect CGNs from apoptosis induced by MPP(+) and may provide a useful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.