Cassia tora prevents Aß1-42 aggregation, inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity and protects against Aß1-42-induced cell death and oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's is a complex neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by extraneuronal accumulation of ß-amyloid peptide. Because of its complex nature, multi-target directed ligands (MTDLs) are increasingly being considered as promising anti-Alzheimer therapeutic agents. This study is aimed at determining the effects of Cassia tora ethyl acetate fraction on several Alzheimer-associated deleterious events in test tubes as well as in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH and SH-SY5Y cell lines. METHOD: Ethyl acetate fraction of C. tora was purified by chromatography, characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, and tested for its ability to prevent Aß 1-42 aggregation by thioflavin-T fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. We also analyzed the intracellular ROS level and cytotoxicity in SK-N-SH and SH-SY5Y cell lines. RESULTS: The extract inhibits the formation of Aß 1-42 aggregation from monomers and oligomers, as also acetylcholinesterase activity, Aß 1-42 -induced cell death, and Aß 1-42 -dependent intracellular ROS production in both SK-N-SH and SH-SY5Y cells. In-depth chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis of the extract revealed that the active molecules are most likely triglycerides of oleic acid (C18H34O2). CONCLUSION: We demonstrate for the first time that Cassia tora fraction prevents Aß 1-42 aggregation, inhibits acetylcholinesterase and alleviates Aß 1-42 -induced oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma cells. We further suggest the possible use of triglycerides of oleic acid as efficient anti-Alzheimer agents.