Protective effect of silymarin and Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) flavonoids against apoptosis of cultured spinal cord the motor neurons of adult mice
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Farzaneh Moshaveri * , Hamid Reza Momeni , Mitra Noori  |
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Arak University, Arak, Iran |
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Abstract: (13712 Views) |
Introduction: Motor neurons in cultured spinal cord slices die through apoptosis and oxidative stress might be one of the contributing mechanisms in this process. Silymarin is a potent antioxidant and is able to inhibit oxidative stress. Artichoke flavonoids are a rich source of silymarin. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of silymarin and artichoke flavonoids on apoptosis of motor neurons in cultured slices of mice spinal cord.
Methods: The thoracic region of spinal cord from female adult mice was cut into 500 µm slices. The slices were divided into four groups: 1) slices at time 0 that were fixed immediately, 2) control slices that received solvent of silymarin and flavonoids, 3) Slices that were treated with silymarin (200 µM), 4) Slices that were treated with flavonoids of artichoke (10 µg/mL). The slices of groups 2-4 were cultured for 6 h, fixed and sectioned using a cryostat. To study morphological features of apoptosis, the sections were stained with Hoechst and propidium iodide. Malondialdehyde (MDA) as lipid peroxidation index and ferric reducing ability as a measure of antioxidant power (FRAP) were measured in the spinal cord slices.
Results: Spinal motor neurons cultured for 6 h, showed morphological features of apoptosis including cell shrinkage as well as nuclear and chromatin condensation compared to the time 0. MDA level increased and FRAP decreased in the spinal cord slices. Silymarin and artichoke flavonoids delayed apoptosis in the motor neurons and decrease the amount of MDA in the spinal cord slices compared to control.
Conclusion: Silymarin and artichoke flavonoids delay apoptosis of motor neurons in cultured spinal cord slices of adult mice.
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Keywords: Antioxidant activity, Apoptosis, Artichoke, Silymarin |
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Full-Text [PDF 1275 kb]
(2419 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Neuroscience
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