Temperature-dependent neuroprotective effects of acorn flour extract in SH-SY5Y cells against gliotoxin

Gliotoxin (GTX) is a potent mycotoxin that has been shown to induce neurotoxicity through the generation of oxidative stress and disruption of cellular signaling, leading to neuronal cell damage. The neurotoxic effects of GTX have been implicated in various neurodegenerative conditions, making the search for protective agents crucial. This study investigates the chemoprotective effects of acorn flour extract (AC FE) at different temperatures (20 °C, 60 °C, 80 °C, and 100 °C) on SH-SY5Y cells exposed to GTX using both pretreatment and simultaneous treatment strategies (direct treatment, pretreatment and simultaneous treatment). Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay after 24 and 48 h of exposure. AC FE exhibited varying cytoprotective effects depending on the temperature and exposure conditions. Pre- treatment with 100 °C significantly increased cell viability by up to 51.6% at low GTX concentrations after 48 h; however, AC FE at 60 °C and 80 °C also demonstrated notable protective effects in pretreatment, suggesting a broader range of effective temperatures. Similarly, simultaneous treatment with AC FE (20 °C and 60 °C) enhanced cell viability by up to 124.7% at specific GTX concentrations. In general, higher extraction temperatures (80 °C and 100 °C) were associated with greater chemoprotective potential. These findings support the potential therapeutic application of AC FE in protecting against oxidative stress and neuronal damage, emphasizing the influence of extraction temperature and treatment timing on its efficacy. Further investigations are needed to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in AC FE’s protective effects.