Cryptotanshinone from Salviae miltiorrhizae radix inhibits sodium-nitroprusside-induced apoptosis in neuro-2a cells

Cryptotanshinone ameliorates MPP+-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells: the role of STAT3 in Parkinson's disease

Cryptotanshinone (CTN) has shown its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory qualities in non-genetic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. According to bioinformatics analysis, CTN and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) may interact to form a drug-target network. This study was conducted to identify the role of CTN-STAT3 interaction in Parkinson's disease (PD). PD model was established with MMP⁺-stimulated SH-SY5Y cells. After pre-treatment with CTN or co-treatment with CTN and STAT3 agonist, MTT assay was performed to observe cell viability; ELISA kit was used to measure the expression level of pro-inflammatory cytokines; DCFH-DA and corresponding assay kits were employed to determine the production of ROS, SOD, CAT and GSH-px; TUNEL assay and western blot were performed to detect cell apoptosis. STAT3 activity was also detected by western blot. Treatment with CTN alone had no impact on SH-SY5Y cell viability, but CTN pre-treatment effectively improved MPP⁺-induced loss of viability in SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, pre-treatment with CTN inhibited MPP⁺-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis and STAT3 activity in SH-SY5Y cells, whereas this inhibitory effect was diminished after additional treatment with STAT3 agonist. CTN ameliorates MPP⁺-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells by inhibiting the expression of STAT3. Therefore, CTN could be a promising therapeutic agent, and STAT3 could be a potential target for PD treatment.

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. (Danshen) in the Treating Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on the Regulator of Metabolic Targets

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly prevalent due to its strong association with increased metabolic syndrome such as cardio- and cerebrovascular disorders and diabetes. Few drugs can meet the growing disease burden of NAFLD. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. (Danshen) have been used for over 2,000 years in clinical trials to treat NAFLD and metabolic syndrome disease without clarified defined mechanisms. Metabolic targets restored metabolic homeostasis in patients with NAFLD and improved steatosis by reducing the delivery of metabolic substrates to liver as a promising way. Here we systematic review evidence showing that Danshen against NAFLD through diverse and crossing mechanisms based on metabolic targets. A synopsis of the phytochemistry and pharmacokinetic of Danshen and the mechanisms of metabolic targets regulating the progression of NAFLD is initially provided, followed by the pharmacological activity of Danshen in the management NAFLD. And then, the possible mechanisms of Danshen in the management of NAFLD based on metabolic targets are elucidated. Specifically, the metabolic targets c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), nuclear translocation carbohydrate response element–binding protein (ChREBP) related with lipid metabolism pathway, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), cytochrome P450 (CYP) and the others associated with pleiotropic metabolism will be discussed. Finally, providing a critical assessment of the preclinic and clinic model and the molecular mechanism in NAFLD.

Salvia miltiorrhiza Protects Endothelial Dysfunction against Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress

Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) is a common traditional Chinese medicine used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Endothelial dysfunction plays an important role in the pathology of cardiovascular diseases. Endothelial dysfunction may induce inflammation and change vascular tone and permeability. The main pathological mechanism of endothelial dysfunction is the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitochondria are the main source of energy and can also produce large amounts of ROS. Recent studies have shown that extracts of SM have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombus properties. In this review, we discuss the mechanism of oxidative stress in the mitochondria, endothelial dysfunction, and the role of SM in these oxidative events.

Typical phthalic acid esters induce apoptosis by regulating the PI3K/Akt/Bcl-2 signaling pathway in rat insulinoma cells

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) are representative phthalic acid esters (PAEs), a class of environmental endocrine disruptors used as plasticizers. PAEs exposure is associated with glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and glucose tolerance; however, the mechanism and various PAE effects on human glucose metabolism remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of DEHP, DBP, and their mixture on rat insulinoma (INS-1) cell apoptosis and the mechanism involved in vitro. The INS-1 cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 + 10% fetal bovine serum for 24 h and pretreated with dimethyl sulfoxide (vehicle, <0.1%), DEHP (30 μM), DBP (30 μM), and their mixture (30 μM DEHP + 30 μM DBP). The methyl-thiazolyl tetrazolium bromide test was used to measure cell viability. Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide (PI) staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay, and glucose-induced insulin secretion assay were used to detect cell apoptosis rates, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and insulin secretion in INS-1, respectively. The mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase 9, Caspase 8, Caspase 3, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and Akt were detected using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR; their protein expression levels were detected using western blotting. To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first to show that the combined effect of the two PAEs promotes a ROS-mediated PI3K/Akt/Bcl-2 pathway-induced pancreatic β cell apoptosis that is significantly higher than the effects of each PAE. Thus, safety standards and studies do not consider this effect as a significant oversight when blending PAEs. We assert that this must be addressed and corrected for establishing more impactful and safer standards.

Metabolomics coupled with SystemsDock reveal the protective effect and the potential active components of Naozhenning granule against traumatic brain injury

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Naozhenning granule (NZN), a widely traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription with a long history of clinical, which is mainly used in the treatment of concussion, cerebral post-traumatic syndrome, consists of Di Huang (Radix of Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC.), Dang Gui (Radix of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels), Chen Pi (Pericarpium of Citrus reticulata Blanco), Dan shen (Radix of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bunge.), Di Long (Pheretima aspergillum (E. Perrier)), Mu Dan Pi (Cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews), Suan Zao Ren (Semen of Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma of Ligusticum striatum DC.), Zhu Ru (Phyllostachys nigra (Lodd. Ex Lindl.) Munro), Bai Zi Ren (Semen of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco) and Fu Ling (sclerotium of Poria cocos (Schw.)Wolf).

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to unravel the mechanism and material basis of NZN against traumatic brain injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, a ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) based metabolomic approach combined with systemsDock was employed to study the protective effect of NZN against traumatic brain injury using a cerebral concussion rat model. The morris water maze test and biochemical indexes were used to evaluate the efficacy of NZN.

RESULTS

The results of morris water maze test suggested NZN can improve the spatial learning and memory of model rats, and the superoxide dismutas (SOD) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) level indicated that the effect of NZN was related with the regulation of oxidative stress. Multivariate analysis revealed that the effect of NZN was related with regulation of 18 brain metabolites, and the corresponding metabolic pathways were further revealed by MetPA analysis. 13 serum absorbed components were found to hit the targets both related with the metabolic regulation and cerebral trauma through systemsDock-aided molecular docking experiments, and these compounds might be served as the active compounds in NZN against cerebral trauma.

CONCLUSION

¹H-NMR based metabolomics and molecular docking provided the insights for the synergistic mechanisms and the potential active compounds of NZN in treating cerebral trauma. However, the bioactive compounds and their synergistic effect need to be further validated.

Role of GS28 in sodium nitroprusside-induced cell death in cervical carcinoma cells

Golgi S-nitro-N-acetylpenicillamine receptor complex 1 (GS28) has been implicated in Golgi vesicle transport. We examined the role of GS28 and its molecular mechanisms in sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced cell death using GS28 siRNA (siGS28)-transfected HeLa cells. Significant inhibition of cytotoxicity was observed in the cells treated with SNP, and photodegraded SNP showed equal cytotoxicity to SNP. Pretreatment with an ERK inhibitor or siErk1 cotransfection blocked the inhibition in cytotoxicity. Additionally, increased phosphorylation of ERK was maintained in the cells treated with SNP, and Nrf2 level was dependent on ERK phosphorylation. However, pretreatment with a pan-caspase inhibitor had no effect on cytotoxicity or procaspase-3 level. Pretreatment with an autophagy inhibitor or siATG5 cotransfection blocked the inhibition of cytotoxicity. The changes of LC3 corresponded to that in siErk1-cotransfected cells. These data suggest that GS28 has an inductive role in SNP-induced cell death via inhibition of ERK, leading to inhibition of autophagic processes in HeLa cells.

Resveratrol protects against sodium nitroprusside induced nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis by scavenging ROS

Oxidative stress induced disc cell apoptosis plays an important role in intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. The present study aims to investigate effects of resveratrol (RV), a natural polyphenol compound, on sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced nucleus pulposus (NP) cell apoptosis and related mechanism. Rat NP cells were pretreated with RV, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and carboxy-PTIO (PTIO) before SNP treatment. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was carried out for cell viability evaluation. Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI), Hoechst 33258 and Actin‑Tracker Green and Tubulin-Tracker Red staining were conducted to detect NP cell apoptosis and apoptotic structural changes. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was analyzed with tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester staining. DCFH-DA and DAF-FM DA staining was used to determine intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) levels. An ex vivo experiment was also carried out followed by TUNEL assay of sections of discs. SNP induced NP cell apoptosis, excessive production of intracellular ROS and NO, reduction of ΔΨm as well as disruption of cytoskeletal and morphological structure. Meanwhile, organ culture results showed that SNP induced NP cell apoptosis ex vivo. RV and NAC siginificantly inhibited SNP induced NP cell apoptosis, production of intracellular ROS, deline of ΔΨm as well as disruption of cytoskeletal and morphological structure, while RV did not suppress NO production. RV and NAC could also suppress SNP induced NP cell apoptosis ex vivo. However, PTIO did not prevent SNP induced NP cell apoptosis, though it scavenged NO significantly. In conclusion, RV protects against SNP induced NP cell apoptosis by scavenging ROS but not NO, suggesting a promising prospect of RV in IVD degeneration retardation.

RNA-binding protein RBM3 prevents NO-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cells by modulating p38 signaling and miR-143

Nitric oxide (NO)-induced apoptosis in neurons is an important cause of neurodegenerative disease in humans. The cold-inducible protein RBM3 mediates the protective effects of cooling on apoptosis induced by various insults. However, whether RBM3 protects neural cells from NO-induced apoptosis is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of RBM3 on NO-induced apoptosis in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Firstly, we demonstrated that mild hypothermia (32 °C) induces RBM3 expression and confers a potent neuroprotective effect on NO-induced apoptosis, which was substantially diminished when RBM3 was silenced by siRNA. Moreover, overexpression of RBM3 exhibited a strong protective effect against NO-induced apoptosis. Signaling pathway screening demonstrated that only p38 inhibition by RBM3 provided neuroprotective effect, although RBM3 overexpression could affect the activation of p38, JNK, ERK, and AKT signaling in response to NO stimuli. Notably, RBM3 overexpression also blocked the activation of p38 signaling induced by transforming growth factor-β1. Furthermore, both RBM3 overexpression and mild hypothermia abolished the induction of miR-143 by NO, which was shown to mediate the cytotoxicity of NO in a p38-dependent way. These findings suggest that RBM3 protects neuroblastoma cells from NO-induced apoptosis by suppressing p38 signaling, which mediates apoptosis through miR-143 induction.

Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species in Anticancer Therapy with Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. We aim to provide a systematic review about the roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in anticancer therapy with Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen). Danshen, including its lipophilic and hydrophilic constituents, is potentially beneficial for treating various cancers. The mechanisms of ROS-related anticancer effects of Danshen vary depending on the specific type of cancer cells involved. Danshen may enhance TNF-α-induced apoptosis, upregulate caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, endoplasmic reticulum stress, P21, P53, Bax/Bcl-2, DR5, and AMP-activated protein kinase, or activate the p38/JNK, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and FasL signaling pathways. Conversely, Danshen may downregulate human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA, telomerase, survivin, vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, CD31, NF-κB, Erk1/2, matrix metalloproteinases, microtubule assembly, and receptor tyrosine kinases including epidermal growth factor receptors, HER2, and P-glycoprotein and inhibit the PI3K/Akt/mTOR or estrogen receptor signaling pathways. Therefore, Danshen may inhibit cancer cells proliferation through antioxidation on tumor initiation and induce apoptosis or autophagy through ROS generation on tumor progression, tumor promotion, and tumor metastasis. Based on the available evidence regarding its anticancer properties, this review provides new insights for further anticancer research or clinical trials with Danshen.

Salvia miltiorrhiza: Traditional medicinal uses, chemistry, and pharmacology

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (SM) is a very popular medicinal plant that has been extensively applied for many years to treat various diseases, especially coronary heart diseases and cerebrovascular diseases, either alone or in combination with other Chinese plant-based medicines. Although a large number of studies on SM have been performed, they are scattered across a variety of publications. The present review is an up-to-date summary of the published scientific information about the traditional uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, side effects, and drug interactions with SM, in order to lay the foundation for further investigations and better utilization of SM. SM contains diverse chemical components including diterpenoid quinones, hydrophilic phenolic acids, and essential oils. Many pharmacological studies have been done on SM during the last 30 years, focusing on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular effects, and the antioxidative, neuroprotective, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic activities. The research results strongly support the notion that SM has beneficial therapeutic properties and has a potential of being an effective adaptogenic remedy.

The Mechanism Research of Qishen Yiqi Formula by Module-Network Analysis

Qishen Yiqi formula (QSYQ) has the effect of tonifying Qi and promoting blood circulation, which is widely used to treat the cardiovascular diseases with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. However, the mechanism of QSYQ to tonify Qi and promote blood circulation is rarely reported at molecular or systems level. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of QSYQ based on the protein interaction network (PIN) analysis. The targets' information of the active components was obtained from ChEMBL and STITCH databases and was further used to search against protein-protein interactions by String database. Next, the PINs of QSYQ were constructed by Cytoscape and were analyzed by gene ontology enrichment analysis based on Markov Cluster algorithm. Finally, based on the topological parameters, the properties of scale-free, small world, and modularity of the QSYQ's PINs were analyzed. And based on function modules, the mechanism of QSYQ was elucidated. The results indicated that Qi-tonifying efficacy of QSYQ may be partly attributed to the regulation of amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and cAMP metabolism, while QSYQ improves the blood stasis through the regulation of blood coagulation and cardiac muscle contraction. Meanwhile, the “synergy” of formula compatibility was also illuminated.

Cytotoxic effects of solvent-extracted active components of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge on human cancer cell lines

Herbal extracts and dietary supplements may be extracted from the medicinal plants used in traditional Chinese medicine, and are used increasingly commonly worldwide for their benefits to health and quality of life. Thus, ensuring that they are safe for human consumption is a critical issue for the preparation of plant extracts as dietary supplements. The present study investigated extracts of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (S. miltiorrhiza), traditionally used in Asian countries to treat a variety of conditions, as a dietary supplement or as an ingredient in functional foods. Dried S. miltiorrhiza root was extracted with various solvents and under varying extraction conditions, and the effects of the extracts on the viability of five human cancer cell lines were compared. Extracts obtained using 100% ethanol and 100% acetone as solvents exhibited more potent effects compared with extracts obtained using 70 and 30% aqueous ethanol. Furthermore, the active components of S. miltiorrhiza ethanol extracts, known as tanshinones, were investigated. Dihydrotanshinone I was observed to exhibit a higher cytotoxic potential compared with the other tanshinones in the majority of the examined cell lines. Conversely, cryptotanshinone exhibited weak anti-cancer activity. In summary, the results of the present study suggest that the active components obtained from an ethanol extract of S. miltiorrhiza possess the potential to be used as ingredients in functional and health care foods that may be used to improve the effectiveness of chemotherapeutics in the prevention and/or treatment of cancer.

Carthamus, Salvia and Stachys species protect neuronal cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis

CONTEXT

Finding effective therapies for neurodegenerative diseases is of utmost importance for the aging population. Plants growing in Iran are rich sources of antioxidants and active phytochemicals.

OBJECTIVE

The protective capacity of plants, with a special focus on those with reported antioxidant or neuroprotective potential or nervous system-related applications in folk medicine, was tested against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Aerial parts of 20 plants including Carthamus, Salvia, and Stachys species were extracted with 80% methanol and dichloromethane and preincubated with neuronal PC12 cells for 3 h. Oxidative stress and apoptosis were induced by hydrogen peroxide (75 µM, 1 h exposure). Cell viability and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by MTT and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA) assays, respectively, while apoptosis was determined by annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide staining by a flow cytometer.

RESULTS

Eighty percent methanol extracts of Carthamus oxyacantha Bieb. (Asteraceae), Salvia santolinifolia Boiss. (Lamiaceae), and Salvia sclarea L. (Lamiaceae) at the concentration of 100 μg/ml showed significant neuroprotection in the MTT assay by 38.7, 34.7, and 39.5%, respectively, and inhibited intracellular ROS by 48.6, 61.9, and 61.4%, respectively. The first two extracts also significantly inhibited apoptosis. Dichloromethane extracts of C. oxyacantha and Stachys pilifera Benth. (Lamiaceae) at the concentration of 25 μg/ml showed neuroprotection by 27.5 and 26.5%, respectively, and inhibited ROS by 44.5 and 39.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The above-mentioned plants seem to have important biological activities and their further study may lead to the discovery of new natural therapeutics useful against disorders such as Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases.

The role of insulin against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damages in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells

Exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can easily penetrate into biological membranes and enhance the formation of other reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, we have investigated the neuroprotective effects of insulin on H2O2-induced toxicity of retinoic acid (RA)-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. To measure the changes in the cell viability of SH-SY5Y cells at different concentrations of H2O2 for 24 h, a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT)-based assay was used and a 100 µM H2O2 was selected to establish a model of H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Further assays showed that 24 h of 100 µM H2O2-induced significant changes in the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), nitric oxide (NO), ROS, and calcium ion (Ca2+) in neuronal cells, but insulin can effectively diminish the H2O2-induced oxidative damages to these cells. Moreover, cells treated with insulin increased H2O2-induced suppression of glutathione levels and exerted an apparent suppressive effect on oxidative products. The results of insulin treatment with SH-SY5Y cells increased the Bcl-2 levels and decreased the Akt levels. The treatment of insulin had played a protective effect on H2O2-induced oxidative stress related to the Akt/Bcl-2 pathways.

Neuroprotective effect of 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-pyranoside against sodium nitroprusside-induced neurotoxicity in HT22 cells

2-(4-Methoxyphenyl) ethyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-pyranoside (GlcNAc-Sal), the salidroside analog was synthesized and shown to inhibit hypoglycemia and serum limitation induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. This study investigated the protective effects of GlcNAc-Sal on sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 cells. Cell viability tests and Hoechst 33342 staining comfirmed that GlcNAc-Sal pretreatment attenuated SNP-stimulated apoptotic cell death in HT22 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The measurements of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) production and apoptosis-related gene and protein expression suggest that the protection of GlcNAc-Sal, shown in this study, might be mediated by inhibiting intracellular ROS and NO production, and regulating apoptosis-related gene and protein expression during SNP stimulation. Perhaps, this study might contribute to the development of GlcNAc-Sal as an agent for preventing and/or treating a variety of NO-induced brain diseases.

Tanshinone IIA and Cryptotanshinone Prevent Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Hypoxia-Induced H9c2 Cells: Association to Mitochondrial ROS, Intracellular Nitric Oxide, and Calcium Levels

The protective actions of tanshinones on hypoxia-induced cell damages have been reported, although the mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Given the importance of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in regulation of cell functions, the present study investigated the effects of two major tanshinones, Tanshinone IIA (TIIA) and cryptotanshinone (CT), on hypoxia-induced myocardial cell injury and its relationships with intracellular NO and ROS, calcium, and ATP levels in H9c2 cells. Chronic hypoxia significantly reduced cell viability which accompanied with LDH release, increase in mitochondrial ROS, intracellular NO and calcium levels, decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and cellular ATP contents. TIIA and CT significantly prevented cell injury by increasing cell viability and decreasing LDH release. The protective effects of tanshinones were associated with reduced mitochondrial superoxide production and enhanced mitochondrial SOD activity. Tanshinones significantly reduced intracellular NO and Ca²⁺ levels. ATP levels were also restored by TIIA. These findings suggest that the cytoprotective actions of tanshinones may involve regulation of intracellular NO, Ca²⁺, ATP productions, mitochondrial superoxide production, and SOD activity, which contribute to their actions against hypoxia injuries.

TanshinoneIIA and cryptotanshinone protect against hypoxia-induced mitochondrial apoptosis in H9c2 cells

Mitochondrial apoptosis pathway is an important target of cardioprotective signalling. Tanshinones, a group of major bioactive compounds isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza, have been reported with actions against inflammation, oxidative stress, and myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury. However, the actions of these compounds on the chronic hypoxia-related mitochondrial apoptosis pathway have not been investigated. In this study, we examined the effects and molecular mechanisms of two major tanshonones, tanshinone IIA (TIIA) and cryptotanshinone (CT) on hypoxia induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells. Cultured H9c2 cells were treated with TIIA and CT (0.3 and 3 μΜ) 2 hr before and during an 8 hr hypoxic period. Chronic hypoxia caused a significant increase in hypoxia inducible factor 1α expression and the cell late apoptosis rate, which was accompanied with an increase in caspase 3 activity, cytochrome c release, mitochondria membrane potential and expression of pro-apoptosis proteins (Bax and Bak). TIIA and CT (0.3 and 3 μΜ), in concentrations without affecting the cell viability, significantly inhibited the late apoptosis and the changes of caspase 3 activity, cytochrome c release, and mitochondria membrane potential induced by chronic hypoxia. These compounds also suppressed the overexpression of Bax and reduced the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. The results indicate that TIIA and CT protect against chronic hypoxia induced cell apoptosis by regulating the mitochondrial apoptosis signaling pathway, involving inhibitions of mitochondria hyperpolarization, cytochrome c release and caspase 3 activity, and balancing anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins in Bcl-2 family proteins.