Protective effects of four alkaloids of embryo loti on H2O2-induced oxidative damage of vascular endothelial cells / 中国生化药物杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe protective effects of four active liposoluble alkaloids of a Chinese herb, lotusine (Lot), liensinine (Lien), isoliensinine (Iso) and neferine (Nef) of embryo loti (the green embryo), against H2 O2-induced oxidative damage on human umbilical vascular endothelial cell ECV-304.Methods The protective effects of Lot, Lien, Iso and Nef on the survival of normal and oxidatively damaged ECV 304 cells were studied by cell morphology observation and 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay.The levels of nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase ( NOS) were measured using colorimetric assay.Results Lot, Lien, Iso and Nef did not affect cell morphology and cell viability of normal ECV 304 cells.The survival of oxidative damaged vascular endothelial cells was rescued by incubating with Lot at 100μmol/L, and Lien, Iso and Nef at 0.1 μmol/L.The proliferative activity of medicated groups increased to 112.8%, 129.3%, 125.6 and 118.2%, respectively (P<0.01 or 0.05), relative to that of the group with H2O2 induced oxidative damage.The four alkaloids restrained oxidative injury of endothelial cells induced by H2 O2 and the protective influences were similar with captopril, which served as a positive control.Each alkaloid except Lot reduced intercellular space and increased the connections of oxidative damaged cells, concomitant with more recognizable cell borders.Lien, Iso and Nef also increased the concentration of NO ( P<0.05 ) .Besides, all of the four alkaloids activated NOS in damaged vascular endothelial cells ( P<0.05 ) . Conclusion The four alkaloids of embryo loti, especially Lien, Iso and Nef, have certain protective effects against H2 O2-induced oxidative damage on vascular endothelial cells.The protective mechanism may be promotion of NO release through the increase of NOS production.