P4–261: Anti‐oxidant and anti‐excitotoxic effects of date, fig and walnut extracts in human neurons

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological studies have identified an inverse relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and incidence of neurodegenerative diseases. Dietary botanicals with potential health benefits include dates, figs and walnuts. Molecular studies have related these benefits primarily to their high phenolic constituents. Methods: The current investigation sought to examine the neuroprotective effects of date, fig and walnut extract against 1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridin (MPTP), and Quinolinic Acid (QUIN)-Induced Excitotoxicity in Human Neurons. Results: Using gas chromatography mass spectrometry, we show that walnut extract has a higher antioxidant activity than extracts derived from dates and figs. Moreover, we report that walnut extract can attenuateMPTP-induced oxidative stress by reducing the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and enhancing the levels ofGSH, and SOD, catalaseGPx activities to a greater extent than date and fig extract. Conclusions: Apart from the antioxidant properties of these natural botanicals, the inhibitory effect these walnut extract, and to a lesser extent, date and fig extract on specific QUIN-induced excitotoxic processes such as calcium influx, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activity, DNAdamage, NAD+ and ATP depletion, provides additional evidence for the beneficial health effects of natural extracts against neurodegeneration.