Evaluation of the Neuroprotective Effect of Chalcone on P53 and Caspase III Expression and D2-Like Dopaminergic Receptor Up-Regulation in vitro Parkinson's Model

Abstract

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). Several studies indicated abnormal cell death in neurodegenerative diseases. Chalcone is a compound of natural origin with various properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and inhibition of apoptosis. We investigated the impact of chalcone in an in-vitro model of PD.Materials and Methods: PC12 cells were divided into four groups. Negative control, 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA) group (treatment with 75µM 6-OHDA), sham (treated with dimethyl sulfoxide), and the experimental groups with different dosages of chalcone treatment. Cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed by MTT and ROS kit, respectively. The expressions of D2-like receptors, P53, and caspase III were evaluated by Western blotting.Results: We found that 6-OHDA induced cytotoxicity and ROS production. The viability results showed that all doses of chalcone significantly increased viability after 48 hours compared to the control group (P