Gynura Procumbens (Lour.) Merr Inhibits the Glutamate Induced Toxicity in Neuronal Cell Lines.

Gynura procumbens is traditionally used in South East Asia to lowering the high blood pressure, and cholesterol level. It is also known to have antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of the study was to confirm the neuroprotective effects of 80% methanol extract of Gynura procumbens. Glutamate is a well-known excitatory neurotransmitter but over-expression of glutamate causes brain cell damage due to oxidative stress. HT22 mouse hippocampal cells are cell lines that don't have ionotropic glutamate receptors so it can be used to screening the neuroprotective bioactive substance. In this study, Gynura procumbens significantly decreased the glutamate-induced cell death in HT22 cells by reducing the intracellular ROS and Ca2+ level and maintaining the mitochondrial membrane potential level. Meanwhile, total glutathione, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxide activities are increased. Therefore, we can conclude 80% methanol extract of Gynura procumbens has significant neuroprotective effect in HT22 cell.