Cucurbitacin E Has Neuroprotective Properties and Autophagic Modulating Activities on Dopaminergic Neurons

Figure 3

(a) Effects of CuE on cytotoxicity induced by MPP⁺ in neuronal PC12 cells, as measured by colorimetric LDH release assay. The absorbance value obtained for the untreated control was subtracted from all other values, as described in Materials and Methods. MPP⁺ treatment shows an important enhancement of cellular death, compared to control condition. Administration of CuE powerfully rescues MPP⁺-induced cellular death. Values are the average of 6 samples from 4 independent experiments for a total of 24 measurements. Data are expressed as means ± S.E.M. . versus Ctrl and versus MPP⁺. (b) Detection of DNA denaturation using monoclonal antibodies against single-stranded DNA. Neuronal PC12 cells treated with MPP⁺ alone show a significant increase in cell death compared to control (Ctrl). Administration of CuE prior to MPP⁺ (CuE + MPP⁺) shows a decrease in DNA denaturation compared to MPP⁺ alone. Values are the average of 6 samples from 3 independent experiments for a total of 18 measurements. Data are expressed as means ± S.E.M. . versus Ctrl and versus MPP⁺.

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