• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.166-173
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• 2010

Oxidative stress to proteins, lipids, or DNA is higher in human autopsy tissue and in rodent models of a number of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. On the basis of this information, we established a screening system using N18-RE-105 cells to identify therapeutic agents that can protect cells from glutamate toxicity. During the course of our screening program, we recently isolated the active compound 9-hydroxy-$\alpha$-tocopherone ($\alpha$-TP), which prevents glutamate-induced cell death, from Viola mandshurica. The chemical structure of $\alpha$-TP was identified using spectroscopic methods and by comparison with literature values. Antioxidant activity and protective effects of $\alpha$-TP were evaluated by DPPH radical-scavenging assay, morphological assay, MTT reduction assay, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. These results suggest that $\alpha$-TP could be a new potential chemotherapeutic agent against neuronal diseases.