Artemisinin Protects Oxidative Stress-induced Neuronal Apoptosis Via Up-Regulation of Akt/Bcl-2 Signaling

Purpose: Artemisinin is a powerful anti-malarial drug that has been in use for decades. Recently, the novel biological effects of artemisinin on cancer, inflammation-related disorders, and cardiovascular disease were reported. The aim of this study was to explore the neuroprotective actions of artemisinin. Methods: The model of glutamate-induced oxidative injury in HT22 hippocampal cells was established to simulate cellular ischemic model. We investigated the effect of artemisinin on oxidative stress-induced cell apoptosis death and the activity of Akt/Bcl-2 pathway in HT22 cells. Results: Pretreatment with artemisinin attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generations, preventing the decline of mitochondrial membrane potential and rescued the HT22 cells form glutamate-induced apoptosis death. The Akt/Bcl-2 pathway was activated by artemisinin in time dependent manner. Furthermore, the artemisinin inhibitor MK2206 blocked the neuroprotective effect of artemisinin. Conclusions: Artemisinin protects neuronal HT22 cell from glutamate-induced oxidative injury and apoptosis via Akt/Bcl-signaling, thereby might be applicated for clinical neurological therapy.