Protective effect of gypenosides against oxidative stress in phagocytes, vascular endothelial cells and liver microsomes.
The action of gypenosides (GP, saponins of Gynostemma pentaphyllum, a Chinese medicinal herb) as an antioxidant was studied using various models of oxidant stress in phagocytes, liver microsomes and vascular endothelial cells. The results show that GP decreased superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide content in human neutrophils and diminished chemiluminescent oxidative burst triggered by zymosan in human monocytes and murine macrophages. An increase of lipid peroxidation induced by Fe2+/cysteine, ascorbate/NADPH or hydrogen peroxide in liver microsomes and vascular endothelial cells was inhibited by GP. It was also found that GP protected biomembranes from oxidative injury by reversing the decreased membrane fluidity of liver microsomes and mitochondria, increasing mitochondrial enzyme activity in vascular endothelial cells and decreasing intracellular lactate dehydrogenase leakage from these cells. The extensive antioxidant effect of GP may be valuable to the prevention and treatment of various diseases such as atherosclerosis, liver disease and inflammation.
Li
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Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, CA.
Jiao
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Lau
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D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012503:Saponins