The Aqueous Extract of Rhizome ofGastrodia elataProtectedDrosophilaand PC12 Cells against Beta-Amyloid-Induced Neurotoxicity
This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect of the rhizome ofGastrodia elata(GE) aqueous extract on beta-amyloid(Aβ)-induced toxicityin vivoandin vitro. TransgenicDrosophilamutants with Aβ-induced neurodegeneration in pan-neuron and ommatidia were used to determine the efficacy of GE. The antiapoptotic and antioxidative mechanisms of GE were also studied in Aβ-treated pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells.In vivostudies demonstrated that GE (5 mg/gDrosophilamedia)-treatedDrosophilapossessed a longer lifespan, better locomotor function, and less-degenerated ommatidia when compared with the Aβ-expressing control (allP<0.05).In vitrostudies illustrated that GE increased the cell viability of Aβ-treated PC12 cells in dose-dependent manner, probably through attenuation of Aβ-induced oxidative and apoptotic stress. GE also significantly upregulated the enzymatic activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, leading to the decrease of reactive oxidation species production and apoptotic marker caspase-3 activity. In conclusion, our current data presented the first evidence that the aqueous extract of GE was capable of reducing the Aβ-induced neurodegeneration inDrosophila, possibly through inhibition of apoptosis and reduction of oxidative stress. GE aqueous extract could be developed as a promising herbal agent for neuroprotection and novel adjuvant therapies for Alzheimer’s disease.