Cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of Echium amoenum anthocyanin-rich extract in human endothelial cells (HUVECs)

• Main Authors: Leila Safaeian (Author), Shaghayegh Haghjoo Javanmard (Author), Mustafa Ghanadian (Author), Sima Seifabadi (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, 2015-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2228-7930; 2228-7949
• Keywords: Echium amoenum; HUVECs; oxidative stress; antioxidant; Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950
• Source: Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, Vol 5, Iss 2, Pp 157-166 (2015)

Objective: Echium amoenum Fisch. & C.A. Mey. is used for the treatment of various diseases in traditional medicine. This plant is a major source of anthocyanins with beneficial cardiovascular properties such as anti-atherosclerotic and antihypertensive effects. In the present study, the protective and antioxidant effects of anthocyanin-rich E. amoenum extract were evaluated on human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) under oxidative stress. Materials and Methods: Cell viability and oxidative status were assessed on H2O2-induced oxidative stress (0.5 mM H2O2 for 2 h) in HUVECs pretreated by anthocyanin-rich extract from the petals of E. amoenum (25-1000 µg/ml). Cytoprotective effect of the extract was evaluated by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The hydroperoxides concentration and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were assessed in intra- and extra-cellular fluid of pretreated cells. Results: Pretreatment of HUVECs with E. amoenum extract at the concentrations of 100-1000 µg/ml reduced the cell death resulted from the exposure to H2O2 in a concentration-dependent manner. E. amoenum extract decreased hydroperoxides concentration and increased FRAP value in both intra- and extra-cellular fluid at different concentration ranges. Moreover, it did not show cytotoxic effects at the concentration range of 25-1000 µg/ml. Conclusion: These results suggest antioxidant and protective effect of anthocyanin-rich extract of the petals of E. amoenum against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HUVECs. However, further investigations are needed for understanding the detailed mechanisms of cytoprotective effects of this traditional herbal medicine.