Protective effect of Zizyphus spinachristi on MPP+-induced oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction mediated neuro apoptosis is reported to play a major role in the pathology of Parkinson's disease. Zizyphus spina-christi fruits (ZSCF) are used as traditional medicines that are well-known for their high antioxidant properties. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of ZSCF extract against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cell lines. The effect of ZCSF on MPP+ induced cell viability (MTT - 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay), membrane damage - (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),  oxidative stress  (levels of ROS, nitric oxide and GSH and activities of SOD and catalase),  mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis (activity of caspase 3 and protein expressions of cyto c, Bax and Bcl-2) were measured. Our results showed that ZSCF could be able to reduce the neurotoxicity of MPP+ and offer neuroprotection in vitro. This protective effect of ZCF might be mediated by its potent antioxidant properties. However, further research is necessary to isolate active compounds and performing preclinical and clinical studies to confirm the neuro-protective effects of ZSCF in PD.