Protective effects of huperzine A on beta-amyloid(25-35) induced oxidativeinjury in rat pheochromocytoma cells

The effects of huperzine A (HupA), a novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on A beta(25-35)-induced cell lesion, level of lipid peroxidation, antioxid ant enzyme activities were investigated in the rat pheochromocytoma line PC 12. Following a 48 h exposure of the cells to A beta(25-35), a significant reduction in cell survival and activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px ) and catalase (CAT), as well as increased production of malondialdehyde (M DA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were observed. Preincubation of the cell s with HupA prior to A beta(25-35) exposure elevated the cell survival and GSH-Px and CAT activities, and decreased the level of MDA and SOD activity. The results indicate that HupA has protective effects against A beta-induc ed cell toxicity, which might be beneficial for the treatment of Alzheimer' s disease. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.