title: Formononetin attenuates hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis and NF-κB activation in RGC-5 cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Diabetic retinopathy is a common diabetic eye disease caused by changes in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Several studies suggest that the oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy in adults. Formononetin is a flavone with powerful antioxidant properties that exists naturally in various plants and Chinese medicine. In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the antioxidative effects of formononetin on H2O2-induced apoptosis of RGC-5 cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Exposure of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to the indicated concentrations of formononetin and H2O2 for 24 h, analyzed by MTT assay. Cells were stained with Annexin V-FITC and PI, analyzed by flow cytometry. And the level of superoxide anions, malondialdehyde (MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG, indicator of oxidative DNA damage) and MnSOD (manganese superoxide dismutase) activity were measured by kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Formononetin reduced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis and improved the levels or activity of indicators of oxidative stress. Formononetin also inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), which is a significant transcription factor for RGC-5 apoptosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Formononetin may be developed as a antioxidant drug to treat diabetic retinopathy.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, FenXian Central Hospital, No. 6 Affiliated Hospital Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P.R. China. lgang1315@163.com.
authors: W-C
authors: WC
authors: Jia
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Liu
authors: C-D
authors: CD
authors: Zhang
authors: S-P
authors: SP
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D007529:Isoflavones; D016328:NF-kappa B; D013481:Superoxides; C007768:formononetin; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase