Protective effects of the aqueous extract of Scutellaria baicalensis against acrolein-induced oxidative stress in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
BACKGROUND
Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Labiatae) (SbG), one of the fifty fundamental herbs of Chinese herbology, has been reported to have anti-asthmatic, antifungal, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory activities.


OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to determine the protective effects of the extract of SbG against the acrolein-induced oxidative stress in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).


METHODS
The MTT reduction assay was employed to determine cell viability. The total cellular glutathione (GSH) level was detected using a colorimetric GSH assay kit. Cellular GSH production was conducted by detecting the mRNA expression levels of γ-glutamylcysteine ligase catalytic subunit and modifier subunit.


RESULTS
Concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects of acrolein were observed while SbG could effectively protect the acrolein-induced oxidative damage. The protective mechanism was investigated, showing that the increased GSH content in the SbG-incubated HUVE cells was associated with the protective effects of SbG-treated cells. Further RT-PCR data confirmed the elevated mRNA expressions of GSH synthesis enzymes.


CONCLUSIONS
The current study strongly indicated that SbG could be a potential antioxidant against oxidative stress in treating cardiovascular diseases.
Zhang
Xing-Wei
XW
The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou.
Li
Wei-Fen
WF
Li
Wei-Wei
WW
Ren
Kan-Han
KH
Fan
Chao-Ming
CM
Chen
Ying-Ying
YY
Shen
Yue-Liang
YL
D000171:Acrolein / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D031364:Scutellaria baicalensis; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; C499814:Scutellaria baicalensis extract; D000171:Acrolein