title: Salidroside protects human erythrocytes against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis.
abstract: Rhodiola rosea is a commonly used folk medicine for the treatment of high altitude sickness, mountain malhypoxia, and anoxia. Its active ingredient, salidroside [2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl β-D-glucopyranoside (1)], has been reported to have a broad spectrum of biological effects. However, the protective role of 1 in human erythrocytes remains unclear. This study therefore has investigated the effects of 1 on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in human erythrocytes (also known as eryptosis or erythroptosis). Compound 1 increased cell survival significantly and prevented human erythrocytes from undergoing eryptosis/erythroptosis mediated by H(2)O(2), as confirmed by the decreased expression of phosphatidylserine on the cell surface and reduced leakage of calcein through the damaged membrane. Mechanistically, 1 was found to exert its protective effects through its antioxidative activity and the inhibition of caspase-3 activation and stress-induced intracellular Ca(2+) rise in a dose-dependent manner. Compound 1 is a protective agent in human erythrocytes against oxidative stress and may be a good adaptogen to enhance the body's resistance to stress and fatigue.
authors.affiliation: Programme of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Erin Wei
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Daniel Tianfang
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: Siu-Kai
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kong
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005960:Glucosides / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D015394:Molecular Structure; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010636:Phenols / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029771:Rhodiola / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005960:Glucosides; D010636:Phenols; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C009172:rhodioloside; D002118:Calcium