Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of placental extracts in benzo[a]pyrene-exposed rats.
OBJECTIVE
Placental extracts (PE) have been used for years as a folk remedy in Asian countries. PE mediates alleviation of menopausal symptoms, wound healing, liver regeneration and anti-inflammatory responses. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of PE on rats exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP).


METHODS
The composition of amino acids, sugars and fatty acids in PE was analyzed. The effect of PE on DNA damage was determined by Comet assay, and oxidative damage was determined by measuring the activity of superoxide dismutase and the levels of lipid peroxidation. The effect of PE on cytokines and immunoglobulin levels was determined by western blot analysis.


RESULTS
Exposure of rats to BaP significantly increased the Olive Tailmoments compared to controls, while pre-treatment with PE composed of diverse amino acids, monosaccharides and fatty acids significantly decreased the Olive Tailmoments induced by BaP. In addition, oxidative stress induced by BaP was attenuated by pre-treatment with PE. Furthermore, PE pre-treatment significantly decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6.


CONCLUSIONS
Pre-treatment of rats with PE significantly attenuates oxidative damage and immunotoxicity induced by BaP. These findings suggest the further studies regarding the protective effects of PE against environmental toxicants in humans.
Park
S Y
SY
Department of Nanobiomedical Science, College of Advanced Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, South Korea.
Phark
S
S
Lee
M
M
Lim
J Y
JY
Sul
D
D
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000633:toxicity; D015153:Blotting, Western; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010924:Placental Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010924:Placental Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase