| Bioactivity | Norgestrel is a synthetic analog of progesterone, a compound commonly found in oral contraceptive pill, and a powerful neuroprotective antioxidant, preventing light-induced ROS in photoreceptor cells, and cell death[1][2]. | ||||||||||||
| Invitro | Norgestrel (20 µM; 24 hours; 661W cells) treatment significantly increases cellular viability after serum deprivation and so it is demonstrated that Norgestrel is neuroprotective to stressed 661W cells[1].Norgestrel (20 µM; 24 hours; 661W cells) treatment decreases apoptotic induced cleavage of PARP and caspase-3[1].Norgestrel (20 µM; 6 hours; 661W cells) treatment bFGF is results in a significant upregulation of bFGF mRNA in photoreceptor cells[1]. Cell Viability Assay[1] Cell Line: | ||||||||||||
| In Vivo | Norgestrel (100 mg/kg; intraperitoneal injection; for 6, 24 or 48 hours; Balb/c mice) treatment can prevent light-induced ROS in photoreceptor cells, and subsequent cell death. Norgestrel acts via post-translational modulation of the major antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2; bringing about its phosphorylation, subsequent nuclear translocation, and increases levels of its effector protein superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2)[2]. Animal Model: | ||||||||||||
| Name | Norgestrel | ||||||||||||
| CAS | 6533-00-2 | ||||||||||||
| Formula | C21H28O2 | ||||||||||||
| Molar Mass | 312.45 | ||||||||||||
| Appearance | Solid | ||||||||||||
| Transport | Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere. | ||||||||||||
| Storage |
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| Reference | [1]. Wyse Jackson AC, et al. The synthetic progesterone Norgestrel is neuroprotective in stressed photoreceptor-like cellsand retinal explants, mediating its effects via basic fibroblast growth factor, protein kinase A and glycogen synthase kinase 3β signallin [2]. Byrne AM, et al. The synthetic progestin norgestrel modulates Nrf2 signaling and acts as an antioxidant in a model of retinal degeneration. Redox Biol. 2016 Dec;10:128-139. |