Page 243 - 2025中醫藥與天然藥物聯合學術研討會-中醫藥與天然藥物的挑戰Ｘ機遇與未來大會手冊

PP-60

Neuroprotective effects of Lauraceae-derived sesquiterpenes against

oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in ND7/23 cells

2
#,1
,2
Chao-Han Tu (杜兆涵), Hsun-Shuo Chang (張訓碩), Horng-Huey Ko (柯宏慧),* Yih-
Fung Chen (陳宜芳)*
,3

1 Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Collage of Health Sciences,
Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
2 School of Pharmacy, Collage of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Taiwan
3 Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
* Email: hhko@kmu.edu.tw; yihfungchen@kmu.edu.tw

Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common adverse effect of cancer
treatment that can severely impair the quality of life of cancer survivors. Among
chemotherapeutic agents, oxaliplatin, a third-generation platinum compound, remains a
standard treatment for advanced colorectal cancer but is also a major cause of CIPN. In severe
cases, oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) may lead to early treatment
discontinuation. Currently, no FDA-approved drugs are available for the prevention or
treatment of OIPN. Previous studies suggest that chemotherapeutic agents accumulate in
peripheral sensory nerves, particularly in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, leading to
oxidative stress and reduced cell viability. In this study, we investigated sesquiterpenes from
Lauraceae plants, known for their structural diversity and biological activities, as potential
neuroprotective agents. Twelve candidates (compounds 1-12) were selected based on
antioxidant-related scaffolds. ND7/23 cells, an immortalized DRG neuronal cell line that
closely mimics primary cultured sensory DRG neurons, were used to establish an in vitro
screening platform for OIPN. Exposure of ND7/23 cells to oxaliplatin (1-100 μM, 48 h) induced
a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability and an increase in intracellular reactive oxygen
species (ROS) levels. The candidate compounds were first tested for their safe concentration
range, followed by neuroprotection evaluation at their respective non-toxic concentrations.
Among the twelve compounds, compounds 2, 5, 9, and 11 (1-10 μM) significantly attenuated
oxaliplatin-induced cell death and ROS accumulation. These findings highlight the
neuroprotective potential of sesquiterpene compounds against OIPN.

Keywords: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN); Oxaliplatin; Dorsal root
ganglion (DRG); Neurotoxicity; Reactive oxygen species (ROS); Sesquiterpene;
Lauraceae