title: Gui-ling-gao, a traditional Chinese functional food, prevents oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.
abstract: Functional foods have become an increasingly popular alternative to prevent diseases and maintain body health status. Gui-ling-gao (GLG, also known as turtle jelly) is a well-known traditional functional food popular in Southern China and Hong Kong. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidative and anti-apoptotic effects of GLG, a traditional Chinese functional food, on preventing oxidative stress-induced injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. In this study, the antioxidative capacities of GLG were measured by using both a cell-free assay [2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)hydrazyl assay] and biological methods [2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)-induced haemolysis assay and H(2)O(2)-induced cell damage on H9c2 cardiomyocytes]. Additionally, the total phenolic content was measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Furthermore, the anti-apoptotic effect of GLG was evaluated by nuclear staining and a DNA fragmentation assay. GLG was found to have good antioxidant activities and high total phenolic content. In H(2)O(2)-induced cell damage on H9c2 cells, GLG was demonstrated to ameliorate the apoptotic effects, such as nuclear condensations, increased intracellular caspase-3 activity and inter-nucleosomal DNA cleavage, induced by H(2)O(2). The present study demonstrated for the first time that GLG possesses anti-apoptotic potential in vitro and this effect may be mediated, in part, by its antioxidative function. Additionally, the antioxidative capacities of GLG were proved both chemically and biologically. This study provides scientific evidence to prove the anecdotal health-beneficial claim that the consumption of GLG could help the body to handle endogenous toxicants such as free radicals.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology, Shenzhen, PR China.
authors: Fan
authors: F
authors: Li
authors: Jian-Hong
authors: JH
authors: Wu
authors: Qing-Hua
authors: QH
authors: Wang
authors: Yuan-Lan
authors: YL
authors: Shu
authors: Chun-Wai
authors: CW
authors: Wan
authors: Chi-On
authors: CO
authors: Chan
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Kam-Wah Mok
authors: Shun-Wan
authors: SW
authors: Chan
mesh_terms: D000578:Amidines / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002681:China; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D055951:Functional Food / Q000032:analysis*; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D016014:Linear Models; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000578:Amidines; D000975:Antioxidants; D010636:Phenols; C046728:2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane); D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide