Ricerc@Sapienza

The loss of neurons is strongly correlated with aging and aging-associated disorders. In this study, cell viability assays and mitochondrial function were performed to evaluate the effect of new spiro-pyrazole derivatives, prepared from aldehydes and 3-amino-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one, on neuroprotection in an in vitro model of dopaminergic cell death induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). The percentages of neuroprotection by derivatives were found between 21.26% and 52.67% at selected concentrations (10-50 μM) with compound 4d exerting the best neuroprotective effect. The results show that the studied spiropyrazolones perform important roles in dopaminergic neuroprotection and can be used for potential new therapies in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease.