Formononetin attenuates HO-induced cell death through decreasing ROS level by PI3K/Akt-Nrf2-activated antioxidant gene expression and suppressing MAPK-regulated apoptosis in neuronal SH-SY5Y cells.

Formononetin is an isoflavone, found in herbs like Trifolium pratense, which executes a variety of physiological activities including anti-neurodegenerative effect. However, the molecular mechanism of formononetin-mediated neuroprotection remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of formononetin on hydrogen peroxide (HO)-induced death of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and its underlying molecular mechanism.