Artemisia absinthium extract attenuates the quinolinic acid-induced cell injury in OLN-93 cells.

OBJECTIVE(S): Increased quinolinic acid (QA) accumulation has been found in many neurodegenerative diseases. Artemisia absinthium (A. absinthium) has been reported to have neuroprotective and antioxidant activities. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of A. absinthium in QA-induced neurotoxicity in OLN-93 Cells.

METHODS: OLN-93 cells were cultured in a DMEM medium containing 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum, 100 units/ml penicillin, and 100 μg/ml streptomycin. The cells were pretreated with concentrations of A. absinthium extract for two h and then exposed to QA for 24 h. After 24 h cell viability, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptotic cells were quantitated in OLN-93 Cells.

RESULTS: Pretreatment with A. absinthium extract prevented the loss of cell viability in OLN-93 cells. ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis in QA -injured OLN-93 cells were reduced following A. absinthium extract pretreatment.

CONCLUSION: A. absinthium extract exerts its neuroprotective effect against QA-induced neurotoxicity via oxidative stress and apoptosis modulation.