Centella asiatica (L.) Urban. Attenuates Cell Damage in Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress in Transgenic Murine Embryonic Stem Cell Line-Derived Neural-Like Cells: A Preliminary Study for Potential Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Centella asiatica (L.) (C. asiatica) is commonly known in South East and South East Asia communities for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. Besides being traditionally used to enhance memory and accelerate wound healing, its phytochemicals have been extensively documented for their neuroprotective, neuroregenerative, and antioxidant properties. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to investigate the effects of a standardized raw extract of C. asiatica (RECA) on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress and apoptotic death in neural-like cells derived from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell line. METHODS: A transgenic mouse ES cell (46C) was differentiated into neural-like cells using 4-/4+ protocol with addition of all-trans retinoic acid. These cells were then exposed to H2O2 for 24 h. The effects of RECA on H2O2-induced neural-like cells were assessed through cell viability, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays, as well as neurite length measurement. The gene expression levels of neuronal-specific and antioxidant markers were assessed by RT-qPCR analysis. RESULTS: Pre-treatment with H2O2 for 24 hours, in a dose-dependent manner, damaged neural-like cells as marked by a decrease in cell viability, substantial increase in intracellular ROS accumulation, and increase in apoptotic rate compared to untreated cells. These cells were used to treat with RECA. Treatment with RECA for 48 h remarkably restored cell survival and promoted neurite outgrowth in the H2O2- damaged neurons by increasing cell viability and decreasing ROS activity. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that RECA upregulated the level of antioxidant genes such as thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) of treated cells, as well as the expression level of neuronal-specific markers such as Tuj1 and MAP2 genes, suggesting their contribution in neuritogenic effect. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that RECA promotes neuroregenerative effects and exhibits antioxidant properties, suggesting a valuable synergistic activity of its phytochemical constituents, thus, making the extract a promising candidate in preventing or treating oxidative stress-associated Alzheimer's disease.

Vitamin E-Mediated Modulation of Glutamate Receptor Expression in an Oxidative Stress Model of Neural Cells Derived from Embryonic Stem Cell Cultures.

Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Excessive concentrations of glutamate in the brain can be excitotoxic and cause oxidative stress, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, the effects of vitamin E in the form of tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) and alpha-tocopherol (α-TCP) in modulating the glutamate receptor and neuron injury markers in an in vitro model of oxidative stress in neural-derived embryonic stem (ES) cell cultures were elucidated. A transgenic mouse ES cell line (46C) was differentiated into a neural lineage in vitro via induction with retinoic acid. These cells were then subjected to oxidative stress with a significantly high concentration of glutamate. Measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was performed after inducing glutamate excitotoxicity, and recovery from this toxicity in response to vitamin E was determined. The gene expression levels of glutamate receptors and neuron-specific enolase were elucidated using real-time PCR. The results reveal that neural cells derived from 46C cells and subjected to oxidative stress exhibit downregulation of NMDA, kainate receptor, and NSE after posttreatment with different concentrations of TRF and α-TCP, a sign of neurorecovery. Treatment of either TRF or α-TCP reduced the levels of ROS in neural cells subjected to glutamate-induced oxidative stress; these results indicated that vitamin E is a potent antioxidant.

Co-encapsulation of Nigella sativa oil and plasmid DNA for enhanced gene therapy of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer disease involves genetic and non-genetic factors and hence it is rational to be treated with genetic and non-genetic therapeutic agents. Nigella sativa has multiple therapeutic properties including neuroregeneration. Nigella sativa oil (NSO) was encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles and pDNA was loaded either by adsorption on chitosan-modified particles or encapsulation within PLGA nanoparticles. The particle size and zeta potential of NSO-pDNA-chitosan-PLGA nanoparticles were highly dependent on the medium and exhibited high burst release. Meanwhile, NSO-pDNA-PLGA nanoparticles were more consistent with lower burst release. The fabricated nanoparticles revealed the expected outcomes of both pDNA and NSO. The pDNA transfected N2a cell while the encapsulated NSO promoted neurite outgrowth that is crucial for neuroregeneration. Results from this study suggest that NSO could be added to the gene delivery carrier to enhance treatment benefits for Alzheimer disease.

Cellular uptake of Nigella sativa oil-PLGA microparticle by PC-12 cell line.

The aim of this study is to investigate the cell uptake of Nigella sativa oil (NSO)-PLGA microparticle by neuron-like PC-12 cells in comparison to surfactants; hydrophilic (Tween 80 & Triton X100) and hydrophobic (Span 80). Solvent evaporation was used to precisely control the size, zeta potential and morphology of the particle. The results revealed varying efficiencies of the cell uptake by PC-12 cells, which may be partially attributed to the surface hydrophobicity of the microparticles. Interestingly, the uptake efficiency of PC-12 cells was higher with the more hydrophilic microparticle. NSO microparticle showed evidence of being preferably internalised by mitotic cells. Tween 80 microparticle showed the highest cell uptake efficiency with a concentration-dependent pattern suggesting its use as uptake enhancer for non-scavenging cells. In conclusion, PC-12 cells can take up NSO-PLGA microparticle which may have potential in the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.