Aqueous extract of Zizyphus jujuba fruit attenuates glucose induced neurotoxicity in an in vitro model of diabetic neuropathy

OBJECTIVES The neuroprotective effect of fruit aqueous extract of Ziziphus jujuba Lam on glucose-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells as an appropriate in vitro model of diabetic neuropathy was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cell viability was determined by the MTT assay. Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was measured by DCFH-DA analysis. Cleaved caspase-3, a biochemical parameter of cellular apoptosis, was measured by western blot analysis. RESULTS Our data showed that a 4-fold elevation in glucose levels within the medium significantly reduced cell viability, increased intracellular ROS and caspase-3 activation in PC12 cells after 24 hr. Incubation of the high glucose medium cells with 300-μg/ml Z. jujuba fruit (ZJF) extract decreased the high glucose-induced cell toxicity and prevented caspase-3 activation and excited ROS generation. CONCLUSION Thus, we concluded that the aqueous extract of Z. jujuba protects against hyperglycaemia-induced cellular toxicity. This could be associated with the prevention of ROS generation and neural apoptosis. Moreover, the results suggest that the ZJF has a therapeutic potential to attenuate diabetes complications such as neuropathy.