Dietary polyphenols protect dopamine neurons from oxidative insults and apoptosis: investigations in primary rat mesencephalic cultures

Abstract

Naturally occurring polyphenols have the potential to prevent oxidative damage in various pathophysiological conditions. Various members of the flavonoid family were investigated to determine if they could protect mesencephalic dopamine (DA) neurones from injury and reduce apoptosis produced by oxidative stressors. Primary mesencephalic cultures were sensitive to oxidative insults (hydrogen peroxide, 4-hydroxynonenal, rotenone, 6-hydroxydopamine and N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridinium hydrochloride (MPP+)) which produced concentration-dependent decreases in cellular viability across an apoptotic-necrotic continuum of injury. Flavonoids (catechin, quercetin, chrysin, puerarin, nari..