Prevention of the neurotoxicity of the amyloid beta protein by genipin

Genipin, which was shown in our previous investigation to have prominent ne uritogenic activity in paraneurons such as PC12h cells, was studied to dete rmine whether it could prevent the toxicity of Alzheimer's amyloid beta pro tein (A beta) in cultured hippocampal neurons. Increased release of lactate dehydrogenase from hippocampal neurons after 2d of A beta 25-35 administra tion was prevented dose dependently by the addition of genipin 20-40 muM. M orphological observations and try pan blue staining of cells confirmed the protection of hippocampal neurons from A beta toxicity by genipin. Geniposi de had less effect in preventing A beta toxicity.