Anthocyanin attenuates oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells via inactivation of ASK1/JNK/p38 signaling pathway

Purpose: To investigate whether the cytoprotective effect of anthocyanin (Anc) on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)-induced cell injury is related to apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/p38 signaling pathway. Methods: PC12 cells were pre-treated with various concentrations of Anc (10, 50, and 100 mu g/mL) in OGD/R-induced cell injury model. The 3-(4, 5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-yl)-3, 5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay was used to assess cell viability. Cell apoptosis was measured by lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay and flow cytometry. Western blot was employed to determine the protein expressions of BCL-2, BAX, caspase-3, p-ASK1 (Thr845), p-JNK, and p-p38. Results: The results indicate that Anc increased the viability of PC12 cells after OGD/R exposure (p < 0.05), and also efficiently rescued OGD/R-induced apoptosis (p < 0.05). Mechanistic studies showed that these protective roles of Anc are related to the inhibition of ASK1/JNK/p38 signaling pathway. Conclusion: The results indicate Anc protects against OGD/R-induced cell injury by enhancing cell viability and inhibiting cell apoptosis. The underlying mechanism of action is partly via inactivation of ASK1/JNK/p38 signaling pathway. Thus, Anc has promise as a potential natural agent to prevent and treat cerebral ischemia-re perfusion injury.