Inhibitory Effect of 2-Arylbenzofurans from the Mori Cortex Radicis (Moraceae) on Oxygen Glucose Deprivation (OGD)-induced Cell Death of SH-SY5Y Cells

Three known 2-arylbenzofurans, moracin P (1), moracin 0 (2) and mulberrofuran Q (3) were isolated from the MeOH extract of the Mori Cortex Radicis. These compounds 1-3 enhanced cell viability in dose-dependent manner against oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced cell death in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, which was measured by MTT reduction assay. (EC50 values of 10.4, 12.6, and 15.9 mu M, respectively). In addition, the compounds 1-3 were examined for their inhibitory effect on OGD-induced ROS production by FACS analysis. We observed these compounds reduced ROS production in OGD-induced cell death (IC50 values of 1.9, 0.3 and 12.1 mu M, respectively). Consequently, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were overexpressed in OGD-induced cells and all three compounds reduced ROS induced by OGD in dose-dependent manner. Taken together, compounds 1-3 might protect neuronal cell death against the oxidative stress induced by OGD, though further studies in vitro and in vivo models are necessary.