Crocetin Prevents Amyloid <i>β</i>_1-42-Induced Cell Death in Murine Hippocampal Cells

Abstract

Crocetin is an aglycon of carotenoid extracted by saffron stigmas ( Crocus sativus L . ) and known to have a potent anti-oxidative effect. Amyliod β (A β ), hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, is reported t o have neurotoxicity partly via oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the effect of crocetin on hippocampal HT22 cell death induced by A β 1-42 . Furthermore, to clarify the mechanism underlying the protective effects of crocetin against A β 1-42 - induced cell death, we measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by CM-H 2 DCFDA kit assay. Crocetin at 1 -10 μM protected HT22 cells against A β 1-42 -induced neuronal cell death and decreased ROS production increased by A β 1-42 . These results that crocetin has the potent neuroprotective effect against A β 1-42 -induced cytotoxicity in hippocampal cells by attenuating oxidative stress, suggest that crocetin may provide a useful therapeutic strategy against A β -related disorders.