Tubuloside B from Cistanche salsa rescues the PC12 neuronal cells from 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress

The neuroprotective effects of tubuloside B, one of the phenyl-ethanoids isolated from the Chinese herbal medicine Cistanche salsa, on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+)-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in PC12 neuronal cells were investigated. PC12 cells treated with MPP+ underwent apoptotic death as determined by MTT assay, flow cytometry and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis; intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured by DCFH-DA staining with laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Simultaneous treatment with tubuloside B markedly attenuated MPP+-induced cytotoxicity, DNA fragmentation, and intracellular accumulation of ROS. These results strongly indicate that tubuloside B prevents MPP+-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress. Tubuloside B may be applied as an anti parkinsonian agent.