The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
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J. Pharm. Pharmacol. · May 2015
Pterostilbene mediates neuroprotection against oxidative toxicity via oestrogen receptor α signalling pathways.
Accumulating evidence indicated protective role of phytoestrogens against neuronal damage induced by various insults, such as amyloid beta, oxygen deprivation and mitochondrial toxins. Hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) influences the mitochondrial membrane potential, which eventually results in cell apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the effects and possible mechanisms of a phytoestrogen, pterostilbene (PTER), in cell apoptosis induced by H2 O2 in human neuronal SH-SY5Y cells. We also analysed the involvement of oestrogen receptors, oestrogen receptor-α and -β (ER-α and ER-β) in the protective role of PTER. ⋯ Our study thus demonstrates that PTER is an effective neuroprotective agent presumably through ER-α-mediated signalling pathways.