Background: Neuronal damage due to oxidative stress in different regions of brain leads to various neurological disorders including Parkinson disease (PD), Alzheimer disease (AD), Huntington disease (HD), epilepsy, ischemic stroke, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Scutellaria lateriflora (American skullcap), a native plant of North America, has been used by Americans and Europeans to treat neuropsychological disorders. Research studies suggest potential in vitro and in vivo neuroprotective activities of S. lateriflora.

Aim: The objective of the current study is to further investigate the in vitro neuroprotective properties and mechanisms of S. lateriflora.

Methods: The antioxidant and anti-apoptotic potential of S. lateriflora were evaluated in hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in differentiated hippocampal H19-7 cells.  Furthermore, the neuroprotective effect of S. lateriflora on growth factor and glutamatergic receptor expression was also measured.

Results and Discussion: S. lateriflora extract suppressed caspase-3 expression and scavenged the reactive oxygen species of hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress.  Decreased reactive oxygen species and caspase-3 activity by S. lateriflora extract strongly correlated with the increased cell viability.  Additionally, S. lateriflora increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in H19-7 cells but did not affect phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NR2A and NR2B) receptors expression.  The findings indicate that S. lateriflora exhibit neuroprotection by increasing nerve growth factor expression and by its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects on neuronal cells.  Hence, it can  be used to protect against hippocampal neurodegeneration.