Cytisine confers neuronal protection against excitotoxic injury by down-regulating GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors

Cytisine (CYT), one of the principal bioactive components derived from the seeds of Cytisus laborinum L, has been widely used for central nervous system (CNS) diseases treatment. The present study investigated the protective effect of CYT on cultured cortical neural injury induced by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA). Our data showed that CYT conferred protective effect against loss of cellular viability induced by brief exposure to 200 μM NMDA in a concentration-dependent manner. CYT significantly inhibited the neuronal apoptosis induced by NMDA exposure by reversing intracellular Ca2+ overload and balancing Bcl-2 and Bax expression levels. Furthermore, CYT significantly reversed the up-regulation of GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors by exposure to NMDA, but it did not affect the level of GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors. These findings suggest that CYT protects cortical neurons, at least partially, by inhibiting the level of GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors and regulating Bcl-2 family.

► Cytisine significantly inhibited the neuronal apoptosis induced by NMDA exposure. ► The mechanism relies on reversing intracellular Ca2+ overload and the balance of Bcl-2 and Bax expression. ► Cytisine significantly reversed up-regulation of GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors by exposure to NMDA.