Journal of Alzheimers Disease & Parkinsonism
Open Access

Abstract

Rosmarinic Acid (RA) is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound and is composed of caffeic acid and danshensu. Our
previous studies have confirmed RA could protect against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridine
cation (MPP+) induced cell injury. Improving evidence showed iron-induced α-synuclein aggregation played important roles
in the etiology of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). However, whether RA could protect dopaminergic neurons through inhibiting the
aggregation of α-synuclein in PD is unclear and the regulation mechanisms underlying this inhibition were not elucidated.
Therefore, the experiment proposed to explore the effects of rosmarinic acid against iron-induced α-synuclein aggregation in
dopaminergic cells and elucidate the possible mechanisms in the SK-N-SH cells. Results showed that iron could reduce the
mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ï�?Ψm) and induce α-synuclein aggregation in the SK-N-SH cells. In accordance with
iron responsive element/iron regulatory protein (IRE/IRP) system, iron could increase the mRNA levels of α-synuclein. Results
also showed that RA pre-treatment could restore the ΔΨm reduction induced by iron and alleviate iron induced α-synuclein
aggregation. Further, results showed RA pre-treatment could inhibit iron induced α-synuclein aggregation by up-regulating
hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1). In addition, RA pre-treatment could decrease the mRNA levels of α-synuclein via decreasing the
protein levels of IRP1. These results provide new findings and new strategies for the prevention and treatment of PD.

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