Baicalein protects PC12 cells from Aβ-induced cytotoxicity via inhibition of apoptosis and metabolic disorders.

AIMS

This study aimed to explore the protective effects and possible mechanisms of baicalein on Aβ-induced toxicity.

MAIN METHODS

Thioflavin-T (Th-T) dye was used to determine the effects of baicalein on Aβ aggregation in vitro. PC12 cells were stimulated with Aβ, then the effects of baicalein on apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), mitochondrial respiratory complex I, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined. Moreover, LC-MS metabolomics approach was used to detect metabolic changes induced by baicalein in Aβ-injured PC12 cells.

KEY FINDINGS

The results showed that baicalein could inhibit the aggregation of Aβ in vitro. Furthermore, pretreatment with baicalein significantly prevented Aβ-induced cell apoptosis, as manifested by increasing the levels of MMP, ATP and mitochondrial respiratory complex I, decreasing the contents of ROS and NO. LC-MS metabolomics revealed that baicalein can regulate 5 metabolites, mainly involving two metabolic pathways, arginine and proline metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our study revealed that baicalein has a protective effect on Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, which may be related to inhibition of apoptosis and metabolic disorders.