EVALUATION OF NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF WEDELOLACTONE AGAINST GLUTAMATE-INDUCED NEUROTOXICITY IN PRIMARY RAT CORTEX NEURONAL CULTURE

S. Maya and Prakash T.*

ABSTRACT

Glutamate excitotoxicity is one of the major pathogenesis behind the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we have evaluated the neuroprotective activity of wedelolactone (WL) against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in primary rat cortex neurons (RCN). Treated the RCNs with WL 25 & 50 μg/ml for 2h and later treated the cells with 100μM glutamate (GLU) and incubated for 24h at 37ºC. Significant protection was observed with WL in a dose-dependent manner. The results demonstrated that WL could improve the antioxidant status in the neurons and inhibit proinflammatory cytokine production. The WL also maintained the Ca2+ homeostasis, IGF-1 expression, and protected the neurons from glutamate-induced neuronal toxicity. The neuroprotective activity of WL was further confirmed by the results of the NAA and MAP-2 expression. The results propose that the WL is significantly effective against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity and can protect neurons from various chemical events that are involved in the pathogenesis of neurotoxicity.

Keywords: Wedelolactone; Glutamate excitotoxicity; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurotoxicity; Neuronal protection.