The protective effect of sodium benzoate on aluminum toxicity in PC12 cell line

Sodium benzoate (SB) is one of the food additives and preservatives that prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria. SB has been shown to improve the symptoms of neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of SB on the cell survival and cellular antioxidant indices after exposure to aluminum maltolate (Almal) in PC12 cell line as a model of neurotoxicity. The cells exposed to different concentrations of SB (0.125 to 3 mg/mL) in the presence of Almal (500 µM) and cell viability, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione content and catalase activity were measured. The results showed that low concentrations of SB caused an increase in the cell survival, but cell viability was reduced in high concentrations. SB could neither prevent the level of ROS production nor change glutathione content. SB (0.5 mg/mL) significantly increased the catalase enzyme activity as compared to the Almal. This study suggested that SB did not completely protect the cell to aluminum-induced free radicals toxicity. Possibly SB improves the symptoms of neurodegenerative disease by other mechanisms.