Protective effects of Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (Crassulaceae) on H2O2-induced apoptosis in GT1-1 mouse hypothalamic neuronal cell line.

Oxidative stress is a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases, so the protection of neuronal cells from reactive oxygen species can be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of these diseases. Methanol extract of Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (Crassulaceae), a traditional oriental medical herb, was shown to have a protective effect on H2O2-induced apoptosis in GT1-1 mouse hypothalamic neuronal cell line which was detected by flow cytometry after propidium iodide staining. Among fractions of O. japonicus, chloroform fraction had the highest protective effect, and water fraction had no protective effect suggesting that the active ingredients might be hydrophobic compounds.