Protective effect of EGB761 on embryonic rat mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons in vitro from MPP+ª²induced injury

    XI Shuª²Fang, CHEN Jianª²Zong, WANG Baiª²Ren, YANG Hao, GAO Jianª²Yuan, TIAN Jiª²Yu, KANG Xiaoª²Gang

    1Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine for Encephalopathy in Elderly, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi¬ðan 710033, China, 2PLA Institute of Neurobiology, 3Department of Geriatrics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi¬ðan 710033, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To explore whether the ginkgo biloba extract (EGB761) could partially protect embryonic rat mesencephalic dopaminergic (DAª²ergic) neurons from MPP+ª²induced injury. METHODS: Primarily cultured cells were dissociated from embryonic rat mesencephalon and the cells were treated by addition of EGB761 and MPP+. The viability of mesencephalic primary cells and DAª²ergic neurons was assessed by MTT assay and the survival number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cells was evaluated by immunocytochemistry. The level of nitric oxide (NO) was assessed by immunocytochemistry for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). RESULTS: The number of THª²positive cells and the viability of mesencephalic cells significantly decreased while the number of iNOS cells increased in the development of apoptosis induced by MPP+. The adding of EGB761 significantly reversed these changes caused by MPP+. CONCLUSION: EGB761 can protect embryonic rat mesencephalic DAª²ergic neurons against MPP+ª²induced apoptotic death in a doseª²dependent manner. ......