Neurochemical Research 2014-09-01

Neuroprotection of atractylenolide III from Atractylodis macrocephalae against glutamate-induced neuronal apoptosis via inhibiting caspase signaling pathway.

Chao Liu, Hong Zhao, Zhi-Hong Ji, Xin-Yu Yu

Index: Neurochem. Res. 39(9) , 1753-8, (2014)

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Abstract

Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity appears to play a crucial role in neurological disorders. Neuroprotection against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for preventing and/or treating these excitotoxicity-mediated diseases. In the present study, atractylenolide III, which exhibited significantly neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced neuronal apoptosis, was isolated from Atractylodes macrocephala by means of bioactivity-guided fractionation. The inhibitory effect of atractylenolide III on glutamate-induced neuronal apoptosis was in a concentration-dependent manner. The anti-apoptotic property of atractylenolide III might be mediated, in part, via inhibiting caspase signaling pathway. Atractylenolide III may have therapeutic potential in excitotoxicity-mediated neurological diseases.