Premium
Huperzine A attenuates apoptosis and mitochondria‐dependent caspase‐3 in rat cortical neurons
Author(s) -
Zhou Jin,
Tang Xi Can
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)03107-1
Subject(s) - huperzine a , neuroprotection , mitochondrion , apoptosis , cytochrome c , cytosol , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , caspase , caspase 3 , caspase 9 , pharmacology , biochemistry , biology , programmed cell death , acetylcholinesterase , enzyme
The neuroprotection of huperzine A against apoptosis was investigated. In cultures of rat primary cortical neurons, neuronal apoptosis was induced by serum deprivation for 24 h, which was accompanied by enhanced caspase‐3 activity and the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol from mitochondria. Pretreating the neurons for 2 h with huperzine A (0.1–10 μM) improved neuronal survival. Huperzine A at a concentration of 1 μM significantly attenuated apoptosis by inhibiting the mitochondria–caspase pathway directly and indirectly.