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White Tea (Camellia sinensis Kuntze) Exerts Neuroprotection against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Toxicity in PC12 Cells

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition volume 66, pages 22–26 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Tea is a popular beverage whose consumption is associated with prevention of certain disorders. The objective of the study was to investigate the potential neuroprotective effect of white tea extract (WTE) on hydrogen peroxide induced toxicity in PC12 cells. Cells were treated with various doses of WTE (10–250 μg/ml) before exposition to 250 μM hydrogen peroxide and cell survival was determined through the MTT and LDH assays. Oxidative stress was quantified in the cells after treatments as intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the antioxidant activity of the extract was assessed in a cell free system in terms of free radical scavenging capacity. Results showed that WTE has a significant protective effect in the PC12 cell line against hydrogen peroxide as cell survival was significantly superior in WTE-treated cells compared to hydrogen peroxide-treated cells. A reduction on intracellular oxidative stress as well as radical scavenging properties were produced by WTE. Results suggest that WTE protects PC12 cells against H2O2-induced toxicity, and that an antioxidant mechanism through ROS scavenging may be in part responsible for cells neuroprotection.

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Acknowledgements

University of Navarra Foundation and Association of Friends of the University of Navarra are thanked for financial support. Dr. M.P. Gómez-Serranillos (Complutense University of Madrid) is thanked for providing PC12 cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, San Jorge University, Autovía A-23 Zaragoza-Huesca km. 510, 50830, Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain

    Víctor López

  2. Deparment of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, University of Navarra, Irunlarrea sn, 31080, Pamplona, Spain

    Maria Isabel Calvo

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  1. Víctor López
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  2. Maria Isabel Calvo
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Correspondence to Víctor López.

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López, V., Calvo, M.I. White Tea (Camellia sinensis Kuntze) Exerts Neuroprotection against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Toxicity in PC12 Cells. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 66, 22–26 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-010-0203-3

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Keywords

  • Tea
  • Camellia sinensis
  • PC12 cells
  • Antioxidant
  • Neuroprotection
  • Medicinal plants