Berberine Protects against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Damage in PC12 Cells through Activation of ERK1/2 Pathway.

Neurodegenerative diseases (ND), such as Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), are chronic degenerative pathologies of the Central Nervous System (CNS). NDs arecharacterized by progressive loss of specific neurons which further leads to adecline in brain functions. Despite the fact that pathologies have different clinical features, there are some common hallmarks, such as synaptic dysfunctioning, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The NDs are caused by an enhancement of ROS production via mitochondria and NADPH oxidase (NOX), which seems to account for tissue injury and neurodegeneration. 

Nowadays, NDs are chronic and incurable conditions, and the disabling effects may continue for years or even decades representing an enormous disease load, regarding human suffering and economic cost. In neuronal cells, the over production of ROS is considered as one of the risk factors for NDs. Disruption of redox homeostasis is a key phenotype of many pathological conditions. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), the main source of ROS, can cause cell membrane injury as well as lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in variety cells. However, antioxidants were able to protect cells against H₂O₂-induced cell death via reducing ROS production.(Read more)