title: Melissa Officinalis L. Extracts Protect Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells against Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated the protective effect of ALS-L1023, an extract of Melissa officinalis L. (Labiatae; lemon balm) against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19 cells).
  
  
  METHODS
  ARPE-19 cells were incubated with ALS-L1023 for 24 h and then treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed by flow cytometry. Caspase-3/7 activation and cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) were measured to investigate the protective role of ALS-L1023 against apoptosis. The protective effect of ALS-L1023 against oxidative stress through activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) was evaluated by Western blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ALS-L1023 clearly reduced H2O2-induced cell apoptosis and intracellular production of ROS. H2O2-induced oxidative stress increased caspase-3/7 activity and apoptotic PARP cleavage, which were significantly inhibited by ALS-L1023. Activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway was associated with the protective effect of ALS-L1023 on ARPE-19 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ALS-L1023 protected human RPE cells against oxidative damage. This suggests that ALS-L1023 has therapeutic potential for the prevention of dry age-related macular degeneration.
authors.affiliation: 1. Clinical Research Institute, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon 301-012, Republic of Korea;; 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 137-701, Republic of Korea;
authors.forename: In Cheul
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Jeung
authors.affiliation: 3. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 137-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Donghyun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jee
authors.affiliation: 1. Clinical Research Institute, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon 301-012, Republic of Korea;; 3. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 137-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Rae
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Rho
authors.affiliation: 1. Clinical Research Institute, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon 301-012, Republic of Korea;; 3. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 137-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seungbum
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D053179:Caspase 7 / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000633:toxicity; D031334:Melissa / Q000737:chemistry*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D020011:Protective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D053148:Caspase 3; D053179:Caspase 7
keywords: ALS-L1023; apoptosis