Ravi_2019_Pharmacol.Rep_71_1151

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's is a complex neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by extraneuronal accumulation of beta-amyloid peptide. Because of its complex nature, multi-target directed ligands (MTDLs) are increasingly being considered as promising anti-Alzheimer therapeutic agents. This study is aimed at determining the effects of Cassia tora ethyl acetate fraction on several Alzheimer-associated deleterious events in test tubes as well as in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH and SH-SY5Y cell lines. METHOD: Ethyl acetate fraction of C. tora was purified by chromatography, characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR, and tested for its ability to prevent Abeta 1-42 aggregation by thioflavin-T fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. We also analyzed the intracellular ROS level and cytotoxicity in SK-N-SH and SH-SY5Y cell lines. RESULTS: The extract inhibits the formation of Abeta 1-42 aggregation from monomers and oligomers, as also acetylcholinesterase activity, Abeta 1-42 -induced cell death, and Abeta 1-42 -dependent intracellular ROS production in both SK-N-SH and SH-SY5Y cells. In-depth chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis of the extract revealed that the active molecules are most likely triglycerides of oleic acid (C18H34O2). CONCLUSION: We demonstrate for the first time that Cassia tora fraction prevents Abeta 1-42 aggregation, inhibits acetylcholinesterase and alleviates Abeta 1-42 -induced oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma cells. We further suggest the possible use of triglycerides of oleic acid as efficient anti-Alzheimer agents.