Figure 7.

Role of Nrf2 in the protective effects of α-cyperone against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. After cell pretreatment with the Nrf2 inhibitor, BT (250 nM), for 4 h or with Nrf2 siRNA for 12 h, SH-SY5Y cells were treated with α-cyperone (30 μM) for 2 h. (A) Then, the cells were incubated with 50 µM of DCFH-DA for 30 min prior to stimulation with H₂O₂ (200 µM) for 10 min. The production of ROS was determined by ROS detection kits. (B-E) The cells were also stimulated with H₂O₂ (200 µM) for 24 h, and the expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, and cleaved-caspase-3 were measured by western blot. All experiments were repeated at least three times and similar results were obtained. Data are presented as the mean ± SE, (n= 5 samples per group). ^##p < 0.01 vs. the control group, ^**p < 0.01 vs. the H₂O₂-treated group, ^$p < 0.05 and ^$$p < 0.01 vs. the α-cyperone + H₂O₂ group.