Morroniside Prevents Peroxide-induced Apoptosis by Induction of Endogenous Glutathione in Human Neuroblastoma Cells

(1) Morroniside belongs to an extensive group of natural iridorid glycosides. In the present study, using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, we have investigated the protective effects of this compound on modifications in endogenous reduced glutathione (GSH), intracellular oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic death on H2O2-mediated cytoxicity. (2) Incubation of cells with morroniside led to a significant dose-dependent elevation of cellular GSH accompanied by a marked protection against H2O2-mediated toxicity. Morroniside at 1–100 μM inhibited the formation of ROS and the activation of caspase-3 and 9, and the upregulation of Bcl-2, whereas no significant change occurred in Bax levels. (3) The results indicated that the anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties render this natural compound potentially protective against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity. (4) This study suggested that intracellular GSH appeared to be an important factor in morroniside-mediated cytoprotection against H2O2-toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells.