Objective: To investigate the inhibitive effects of ginsenoside F2 on oxidative stress in human embryonic kidney cells(HEK-293).
Methods: Hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress of HEK-293 cell was used as the research object. HEK-293 cells were pretreated with different concentrations of ginsenoside F2(1.25, 5, 20 μmol/L). Cell viability was measured by MTS assay. Malondialchehyche(MDA) level and activities of antioxidant enzymes(superoxide dismutase SOD, glutathione peroxidase GSH-Px, catalase CAT) were measured by corresponding assay kits. DCFH-DA fluorescent probe assay was used to measure the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS). Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2) and kelch-like ECH associated protein 1(Keap1).
Results: After treated with 1.25, 5, 20 μmol/L ginsenoside F2, no cytotoxic or proliferative effects were shown on normal HEK-293 cells. After pretreatment with ginsenoside F2, the cell viability was significantly higher than that of the injury group(P<0.05)and increased in a concentration-dependent manner. The fluorescence intensity of oxidative DCF in injured group was significantly increased compared with control group(P<0.05). The fluorescence intensity of cells which pretreated with different concentrations of ginsenoside F2 was gradually weakened(P<0.05). The ROS content of control group was chosen as the standard, and the relative amount of ROS pretreated by ginsenoside F2 decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. After pretreatment of ginsenoside F2, the MDA levels decreased in a concentration-dependent manner and the activities of SOD and GSH-Px were significantly higher than those of the injured group(P<0.05). The activity of CAT was significantly increased with pretreatment of higher concentrations of ginsenoside F2(P<0.05). Furthermore, ginsenoside F2 significantly enhanced the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and reduced the expressions of Keap1 in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05).
Conclusion: Ginsenoside F2 protect HEK-293 cells against H_2O_2-induced oxidative stress through reducing intracellular ROS and MDA, as well as activating Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway and antioxidant enzymes.
Keywords: ginsenoside F2; nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2); oxidative stress; signal pathway.