title: Natural iron chelators: Protective role in A549 cells of flavonoids-rich extracts of Citrus juices in Fe(3+)-induced oxidative stress.
abstract: Exogenous iron in particulate matter and imbalanced iron homeostasis cause deleterious effects on health. Natural and synthetic iron chelators may be of therapeutic benefit, therefore we evaluated the protective effect of Citrus flavonoids-rich extracts from bergamot and orange juices in iron overloaded human lung epithelial cells. Cytofluorimetric, biochemical and genotoxic analyses were performed in Fe2(SO4)3 exposed A549, pretreated with each extract whose chemical composition was previously detected. Chelating activity was assessed in cells by a calcein ester. Both extracts reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species and membrane lipid peroxidation, improved mitochondrial functionality, and prevented DNA-oxidative damage in iron-exposed cells. Antioxidant effects were attributed to the chelating property, blocking upstream the redox activity of iron. Flavonoid-rich extracts also induced antioxidant catalase. The bergamot and orange juice extracts had a broad-spectrum protective effect. Their use prevents iron oxidative injury and these natural iron chelators could be used as therapeutic agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: nadiaferlazzo@email.it.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ferlazzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria, I-98100 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: gvisalli@unime.it.
authors.forename: Giuseppa
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Visalli
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: scirmi@unime.it.
authors.forename: Santa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cirmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: giov.enricolombardo@libero.it.
authors.forename: Giovanni Enrico
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lombardo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria, I-98100 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: pasqualina.lagana@unime.it.
authors.forename: Pasqualina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laganà
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria, I-98100 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: adipietr@unime.it.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Pietro
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: mnavarra@unime.it.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Navarra
mesh_terms: D000072283:A549 Cells; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002957:Citrus; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000633:toxicity*; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007501:Iron
keywords: A549 cells; Bergamot and orange Citrus extracts; Flavonoids; Iron chelating activity; Oxidative stress