Icaritin protects against oxidative stress-induced injury in cardiac H9c2 cells via Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 and calcium signalling pathways. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lei, Si Wan; Cui, Guozhen; Leung, George Pak Heng; Luk, Sharon Chui Wah; Hoi, Maggie Pui Man; Wang, Liang; Mahady, Gail B.; Lee, Simon Ming Yuen
• Is Part Of: Journal of functional foods. Volume 18:Part A(2016)
• Page Start: 213
• Page End: 223
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Icaritin -- Cardiac H9c2 cells -- Oxidative stress -- NF-E2-related factor 2 -- Calcium ion; Functional foods -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2015.06.054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-4646

Abstract

Highlights: A natural product named icaritin exhibits novel in vitro cardioprotective effect. Cardioprotective action of icaritin is involved in Nrf2 and calcium signalling pathways. Icaritin represents a promising candidate in the prevention of oxidative stress induced cardiac damage. Abstract: Icaritin, a prenylflavonoid isolated from Herbal Epimedii, is well known for its osteoplastic and anti-tumour activities. Here, we examined the cardioprotective actions of icaritin on cardiac H9c2 cells under oxidative stress conditions induced by treatment with tert-butylhydroperoxide ( t- BHP). Icaritin at a concentration range between 1 and 4 µM effectively increased cell viability and decreased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) release in t -BHP treated cells, reflecting its ability to reduce t -BHP-induced cell injury. Icaritin also protected cell membrane integrity by preventing the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, pretreatment of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) siRNA and Akt inhibitor abolished the cardioprotective effect of icaritin. Furthermore, Nrf2 siRNA transfection interfered with the effect of icaritin on the inhibition of Ca 2+ overload, whereas Akt inhibitor reduced icaritin-induced haemo-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. Collectively, these results suggest that icaritin exerted its cardioprotective effect through the Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 and calcium signalling pathways.