Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-dependent neurodegenerative disease. Beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ)- induce neurotoxicity has a pivotal role in AD pathogenesis, therefore modulation of Aβ toxicity is the promising therapeutic approach for control of disease progression. Medicinal plants for having multiple active ingredients are effective in complex diseases such as AD therefore; several studies have been focused on medicinal plants for finding an effective treatment for AD. Ferulago angulata is a medicinal plant with the antioxidant and neuroprotective activity. The present study aims to assess the protective effect of the methanolic extract of Ferulago angulate on Aβ-induced toxicity and oxidative stress in PC12 cells. Methanolic extract of aerial parts of the plant was prepared by maceration method. PC12 cells were cultured according to a standard protocol. PC12 cells were incubated for 24 hours with Aβ alone, and Aβ in combined with various concentrations of the Ferulago angulata extract. Cell viability was determined by the MTT assay. Also, ROS production and the activity of Acetylcholine esterase (AChE), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and caspase-3 enzymes were measured. The extract dose-dependently protects PC12 cells against Aβ-induced cell death. Also, Aβ increases the ROS production, AChE, and caspase-3 activity and decreases the GPx activity, which all were ameliorated by Ferulago angulata extract. Results of the present study indicate that Ferulago angulata extract protects against Aβ-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. These effects may be due to the antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity of the extract. It is recommended Ferulago angulata extract be investigated more as an anti-Alzheimer agent.
Purification and tissue level of the beta-amyloid peptide precursor of rat brain