Puerarin protects human bronchial epithelial cells from apoptosis induced by gunpowder smog / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate protective effects of puerarin on the human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cell line against apoptosis caused by gunpowder smog and its mechanisms. Methods BEAS-2B cells cultured in vitro were randomly divided into control group, smog group (the group treated with 4g gunpowder smog for lOmin), and smog + puerarin group [puerarin groupj the cells were pre-incubated with various concentrations of puerarin (12.5, 25.0, 50.0, 100.0µg/ml) and then exposed to smoke]. Puerarin was added into the cells after innoculation for 12h and then the cells were sequentially cultured for 24h and followed by exposure to smoke for lOmin. After being cultured again for 2h, the smoked cells were examined for cell viability using Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8); cell apoptosis was observed using Hoechst33258 nucleus staining, and positive rates of Annexin V-PI staining cells and caspase-3 were determined with flow cytometer. Results Compared with control, treatment of BEAS-2B cells with 4g gunpowder smog induced a characteristic ap op to tic cell death (P<0.01). Pretreatment with various concentrations of puerarin antagonized the action of gunpowder smog in different degrees. The 25µg/ml was determined as the optimal effective concentration of puerarin. Compared with smog group, the apoptosis rate of BEAS-2B cells and positive rates of Annexin V-PI staining cells and caspase-3 were decreased significantly in smog + puerarin group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion Gunpowder smog can induce apoptosis of BEAS-2B cells in vitro, while pretreatment with puerarin could protect BEAS-2B cells against apoptosis induced by gunpowder smog.