Anti-apoptotic effect of steam exploded Quercus variabilis

Abstract

We hypothesized that the extract from steam exploded Q. variabilis might be cytoprotective for tenofibroblasts cells during oxidative stress. In the present study, the extracts obtained from steam exploded (severity log Ro 4.68) Q. variabilis contained high quantities of phenolics and flavonoids contents. Also, the extracts appear to have, on these tenofibroblasts, a protective effect against oxidative stress. Tenofibroblasts cells incubated with the extracts and stressed with H2O2 showed an increase in cell viability by MTT assay. The extracts is found to inhibit H2O2-induced apoptosis in tenofibroblasts cells, as shown by Annexin V/PI double staining analysis. Western blot data showed that in the extracts/H2O2-treated cells, the extracts inhibited the H2O2-dependent phosphorylation of ERK and p38. From these results, it is suggested that the extracts showed the protective effect on H2O2-mediated oxidative stress. The main chemical compounds of the extract was identified as 1,8-cineole by GC-MS analysis. The anti-apoptosis activity is accordingly believed to be attributable to the 1,8-cineole.