Abstract
Oxidative stress, which is induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), causes cellular damage which contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Momordica charantia (MC), a traditional medicinal plant, is known to have a variety of health benefits, such as antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. However, it is unknown whether MC has protective effects against oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential action of MC on oxidative stress induced by H&sub2;O&sub2;. First, we tested whether the pretreatment of Momordica charantia ethanol extract (MCEE) attenuates H&sub2;O&sub2;-induced cell death in human neuroblastoma SK-N-MC cells. MCEE pretreatment significantly improved cell viability and apoptosis that deteriorated by H&sub2;O&sub2;. Further, MCEE ameliorated the imbalance between intracellular ROS production and removal through the enhancement of the intracellular antioxidant system. Intriguingly, the inhibition of apoptosis was followed by the blockage of mitochondria-dependent cell death cascades and suppression of the phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling (MAPKs) pathway by MCEE. Taken together, MCEE was shown to be effective in protecting against H&sub2;O&sub2;-induced cell death through its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.