Protective effects of Liensinine, Isoliensinine, and Neferine on PC12 cells injured by amyloid-beta

Excessive accumulation of amyloid-beta (A beta) is the leading cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Liensinine, Isoliensinine, and Neferine are main alkaloids in lotus seed embryos. In this paper, the protective effects of Liensinine, Isoliensinine, and Neferine on A beta(25-35)-injured PC12 cells were studied. It was found that Liensinine, Isoliensinine, and Neferine could improve the viability and reduce the apoptosis of PC12 cell induced by A beta(25-35). These three alkaloids could also reduce the level of intracellular free Ca2+ and CaM expression in A beta(25-35)-treated cells, thereby inhibiting the phosphorylation of CaMKII and tau. In addition, these three compounds can inhibit the production of ROS in PC12 cells injured by A beta(25-35). Our results suggest for the first time that Liensinine, Isoliensinine, and Neferine can inhibit hyperphosphorylation of tau protein by inhibiting the Ca2+-CaM/CaMKII pathway, thereby reducing the apoptosis and death of PC12 cells damaged by A beta(25-35). Practical applications This study highlighted the protective effects and mechanisms of three main active ingredients (Liensinine, Isoliensinine, and Neferine) in the lotus embryo on a typical cell model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The results revealed that three alkaloids in this healthy food might exert therapeutic potential for AD.