A novel neuroprotectant PAN-811 protects neurons from oxidative stress

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a major non-radical reactive oxygen species (ROS) could elicit intracellular oxidative damage and/or cause extracellular free calcium influx by activating the NMDA receptor or through calcium channels. In the present study, NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 fully blocked H2O2-induced neuronal cell death, whereas green tea (GT) extract containing-antioxidants only partially suppressed the neurotoxicity of H2O2. These suggest that majority of ROS overproduction is downstream of H2O2-induced calcium influx. A novel neuroprotectant PAN-811 was previously demonstrated to efficiently attenuate ischemic neurotoxicity. PAN-811 hereby fully blocks H 2O2-elicited neuronal cell death with a more advanced neuroprotective profile than that of GT extract. PAN-811 was also shown to protect against CaCl2-elicited neurotoxicity. Efficient protection against oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity by PAN-811 indicates its potential application in treatment of ROS-mediated neurodegenerative diseases. © 2009 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.