Cynarin (1,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid) has neuroprotective, and antioxidant effects, it can inhibition of GSK3β as well as the modulation of Bcl-2/Bax.

Cynarinhas protective effects against MPP~+ induces neurotoxicity of PC12 Cells, it (50 umol/L) pretreatment can inhibit the MPP+-induced up-regulation of the expression of α-synuclein mRNA and protein.1, 5-diCQA has antioxidant signaling properties that upregulate GSH synthesis by stimulating the Nrf2 pathway in astrocytes and protects them from cell death in an in vitro model of ischemia/reperfusion[1].Cynarindecreases the expression and protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) when used at a concentration of 10 μM in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs) treated with a cytokine mixture[2].

The processing of an in vitro model of ischemia/reperfusion was described previously. The cultures were washed three times with deoxygenated glucose-free DMEM and placed into an anaerobic chamber with an atmosphere of 10% H2, 85% N2, and 5% CO2 for 4 h. Then the glucose-free DMEM was replaced with complete medium, and the culture plates were maintained at 37 C in a humidified 5% CO2-containing atmosphere for an additional 20 h. As a pretreatment, different concentrations of 1, 5-diCQA were added to the media before OGD for 2 h[1].