Coumarin derivatives protection against ROS production in cellular models of Aβ toxicities

Abstract

The role of oxidative stress and free radicals in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been the focus of many recent studies. The role of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in AD is thought to be associated with Aβ (amyloid – β) damage in cells. A number of coumarin derivatives were previously found to be potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. Herein, these coumarin derivatives were tested as H₂O₂ scavengers with the DCF assay using two types of neuronal cells: (a) wild type (N2a) neuroblastoma cells and (b) APP/PS1 transgenic cell line expressing Aβ. Their scavenging activity was varied between the types of cell cultures and it was found to be concentration and time dependent in the mutant cells. Their protective role against cell death further supports this notion. These results suggest that these compounds could be used as a template in the design of new molecules with a possible role in AD.

• Coumarin
• hydrogen peroxide scavengers
• β-amyloid peptide
• N2a neuroblastoma cells
• Δ.9 mutant cells