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 pro tection of neuronal cells from reactive oxygen species can be beneficial fo r the prevention and treatment of these diseases, Methanol extract of Orost achys japonicus A. Berger (Crassulaceae), a traditional oriental medical he rb, was shown to have a protective effect on H2O2-induced apoptosis in GT1- 1 mouse hypothalamic neuronal cell line which was detected by flow cytometr y after propidium iodide staining. Among fractions of O. japonicus, chlorof orm fraction had the highest protective effect, and water fraction had no p rotective effect suggesting that the active ingredients might be hydrophobi c compounds. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.