Protective effects of Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus, Phragmites australis, and Pinus densiflora extracts against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells.

Neurodegenerative diseases are closely linked to oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage, yet effective therapies remain limited. This study evaluated the protective effects of GMAS-01, an herbal formulation comprising Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus, Pinus densiflora, and Phragmites australis against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells. HPLC analysis identified catechin, p-coumaric acid, and acanthoside D as major bioactive compounds. Molecular docking indicated strong binding affinities of these compounds to apoptosis and inflammation-related targets, including NF-κB, APP, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, and caspase-9. GMAS-01 pre-treatment significantly improved cell viability, reduced apoptotic features, and preserved mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, it attenuated ROS generation and restored antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GPx, and CAT). Gene expression analysis revealed modulation of apoptosis-related markers and suppression of NF-κB signalling. These findings demonstrate that GMAS-01 mitigates oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage and highlight its potential as a therapeutic candidate for neurodegenerative disorders.