Panaxatriol saponins extracted from Panax notoginseng induces thioredoxin-1 and prevents 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion-induced neurotoxicity.

ABSTRACT

AIM OF THE STUDY Thioredoxin-1 has various biologic activities, including the control of redox balance and the inhibition of apoptosis. The current study was designed to examine the effects of panaxatriol saponins (PTS) extracted from Panax notoginseng on thioredoxin-1 expression and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion-induced injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using PC12 cells and Kunming mice, we test thioredoxin-1 expression after PTS treatment by Western blot. The protective effect of PTS against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion-induced injury was assessed by MTT assay and LDH release assay. RESULTS: PTS induced thioredoxin-1 expression in vitro and in vivo, and attenuated 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion-induced cell death of PC12 cells. CONCLUSIONS: PTS is a new inducer of thioredoxin-1 and has a possible potential as a therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease.