Atractylenolide inhibits apoptosis and oxidative stress of HTR-8/SVneo cells by activating MAPK/ERK signalling in preeclampsia

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a severe hypertension-related disorder occurring during pregnancy that leads to significant mortality and morbidity in both the foetus and mother. Atractylenolide (ATL), a traditional Chinese natural agent isolated from the herb Atractylodes macrocephala, exhibits a series of pharmacological activities, including anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects.

Purpose: The impacts of ATL on apoptosis and oxidative stress in HTR-8/SVneo cells during PE development was investigated.

Study design: We identified ATL by an overlap analysis of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) database using the keyword 'gestational hypertension' and Traditional Chinese Medicine (Batman-TCM) database using the keyword 'Atractylodes macrocephala'.

Methods: Cell viability, proliferation, and migration were detected by CCK-8, EdU, and transwell assays. Flow cytometry and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate were used to assess apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.

Results: EdU and CCK-8 assays demonstrated that ATL significantly enhanced the viability of HTR-8/SVneo cells. Transwell assays showed that ATL remarkably induced the migration of HTR-8/SVneo cells. Moreover, ROS production in HTR-8/SVneo cells was induced by H₂O₂, whilst ATL alleviated this H₂O₂-induced ROS production and apoptosis in cells.

Conclusion: ATL attenuated apoptosis and oxidative stress in HTR-8/SVneo cells in PE by activating the MAPK/ERK signalling pathway. ATL has potential to be utilized as a potential therapeutic candidate for PE.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Atractylenolide; MAPK/ERK signalling pathway; Oxidative stress; Preeclampsia.