Cirsium japonicum var. maackii flower extracts demonstrate protection against Aβ; 25-35 -induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y Cells

Cirsium japonicum var.maackii (CJM) is a perennial herb with various health-beneficial properties, including antiinflammatory and hepatoprotective abilities.CJM improves cognitive impairment induced by Aβ 25-35 during Alzheimer's disease.However, the specific neuroprotective effects of CJM flowers (CJMF), which may have a unique bioactive compound profile, have not yet been fully elucidated.Our study focused on unraveling such effects on Aβ 25-35 -induced SH-SY5Y cells.Before Aβ 25-35 exposure, the cells were pretreated with the ethanolic extract of CJMF and different fractions.Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed to determine the influence of antioxidative stress.Compared with the Aβ 25-35 -treated control cells, the treatment group cells exhibited increased viability and decreased LDH and ROS production.Among all extracts and fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction of CJMF (ECJMF) was the most potent.Western blots explored the underlying mechanisms.ECJMF reduced the expression of amyloidogenic pathway-related proteins, including β-secretase, PS1, and PS2.Additionally, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor kappa B were attenuated.In contrast, brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 phosphorylation were upregulated.In conclusion, the findings suggest that CJMF, specifically ECJMF, ameliorates Aβ 25-35 -induced neuroinflammation by modulating such signaling pathways in SH-SY5Y cells.