Cuscuta epithymum Murr. crude extract pre-conditioning inhibits cell apoptosis in glutamate-induced cytotoxic condition

Abstract

Cuscuta epithymum Murr. (C. epithymum), as a herbal medication, has shown anticancerous effects in some of in vitro studies, but its neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic possible effects have not been considered in research. Here, we aimed to show the protective effects of C. epithymum seeds crude extract and different fractions (n-hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol) on rat glioblastoma cells (C6) in L-glutamate exposure. Initially, the total phenolic content of C. epithymum crude extract and the fractions (all produced by maceration method) was determined. Subsequently, C6 cells were pre-treated with various doses of crude extract and fractions 24 hours before L-glutamate exposure. Likewise, C6 cells were treated with the same extract and fractions concentrations 24 hours after exposure L-glutamate. Besides, flow cytometry testing was used to prove that C. epithymum extract protects C6 cells from glutamate toxicity, as evidenced by morphological features, cell viability, and oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SODs). The findings suggested that crude extract has concentration-depended toxicity. It has the highest antioxidant activity to significantly increase C6 cell viability in cytotoxic conditions and probably plays the neuroprotective role in reducing cell death by decreasing MDA levels and increasing SODs levels in cells, showing lipid peroxidation prevention and free radical scavenging, respectively. In conclusion, these results suggest the protective role for C. epithymum crude extract against oxidative stress-induced damage. It showed propective attribute in our in vitro study ,although, further research is needed to prove the neuroprotective effects in in vivo oxidative conditions.