The neuroprotective effects of tocotrienol rich fraction and alpha tocopherol against glutamate injury in astrocytes

Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2014 Nov 16;14(4):195-204. doi: 10.17305/bjbms.2014.4.91.

Abstract

Tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF) is an extract of palm oil, which consists of 25% alpha tocopherol (α-TCP) and 75% tocotrienols. TRF has been shown to possess potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotection, and cholesterol lowering activities. Glutamate is the main excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter in the central nervous system of mammalian, which can be excitotoxic, and it has been suggested to play a key role in neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. In this present study, the effects of vitamin E (TRF and α-TCP) in protecting astrocytes against glutamate injury were elucidated. Astrocytes induced with 180 mM of glutamate lead to significant cell death. However, glutamate mediated cytotoxicity was diminished via pre and post supplementation of TRF and α-TCP. Hence, vitamin E acted as a potent antioxidant agent in recovering mitochondrial injury due to elevated oxidative stress, and enhanced better survivability upon glutamate toxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Astrocytes / drug effects*
  • Astrocytes / metabolism
  • Astrocytes / pathology
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Glutamic Acid / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / metabolism
  • Tocotrienols / pharmacology*
  • alpha-Tocopherol / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • Tocotrienols
  • Glutamic Acid
  • alpha-Tocopherol