[Cortical neuron apoptosis induced by beta-amyloid peptide and protective effect of panoxadiol in mice].

Objective: To investigate the apoptosis of cortical neurons induced by beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta(1-40)) and the protective effect of panoxadiol.
Methods: The Abeta(1-40) induced damage of primarily cultured mouse cortical neurons was examined with morphological observation, MTT assay, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and Western-blot.
Result: After 48 h treated with 12 mumol/L Abeta(1-40), the cortical neurons showed apoptotic characteristics: including decreased OD570 value in MTT assay, DNA cleavage fragment in electrophoresis and increased apoptotic cells. Western-blot showed that the expression of bcl-2 reduced significantly (P<0.05). Cell apoptosis was significantly attenuated in 40 mg/L panoxadiol treated group.
Conclusion: Panoxadiol can protect cultured cortical neurons from apoptosis induced by Abeta(1-40) in mice.