Allicin (2-propene-1-sulfinothioic acid S-2-propenyl ester, diallyl thiosulfinate) is the main biologically active ingredient in garlic. The present study investigated the protective effect of allicin against cardiomyocyte apoptosis that was induced by ischemia in vitro and the potential molecular mechanisms that were involved in this antiapoptotic effect. The results indicated that allicin increased H9c2 cell activity and attenuated the rate of apoptosis that was induced by ischemia/hypoxia. Intracellular calcium concentrations significantly decreased in the allicin-treated groups. Bax expression significantly decreased, and Bcl-2 expression increased in allicin-treated rats. Nitric oxide blockade significantly inhibited these effects. Allicin also increased the activity of SOD and NO release and decreased MDA levels. Allicin significantly increased the expression of eNOS, Nrf2, and HO-1 proteins. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that allicin protects H9c2 cells against apoptosis, and this protective effect appears to occur via eNOS/NO pathway-mediated antioxidant activity.
Excessive oxidative stress in pancreatic β cells, caused by glucose and fatty acids,
is associated with the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Mogrosides have shown
antioxidant and antidiabetic activities in animal models of diabetes, but the
underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study evaluated the antioxidant effect of
mogrosides on insulinoma cells under oxidative stress caused by palmitic acid, and
investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. Mouse insulinoma NIT-1 cells were
cultured in medium containing 0.75 mM palmitic acid, mimicking oxidative stress. The
effects of 1 mM mogrosides were determined with the dichlorodihydrofluorescein
diacetate assay for intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and FITC-Annexin V/PI
assay for cell apoptosis. Expression of glucose transporter-2 (GLUT2) and pyruvate
kinase was determined by semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain
reaction. Palmitic acid significantly increased intracellular ROS concentration
2-fold (P<0.05), and decreased expression of GLUT2 (by 60%, P<0.05) and
pyruvate kinase (by 80%, P<0.05) mRNAs in NIT-1 cells. Compared with palmitic
acid, co-treatment with 1 mM mogrosides for 48 h significantly reduced intracellular
ROS concentration and restored mRNA expression levels of GLUT2 and pyruvate kinase.
However, mogrosides did not reverse palmitic acid-induced apoptosis in NIT-1 cells.
Our results indicate that mogrosides might exert their antioxidant effect by reducing
intracellular ROS and regulating expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism.
Further research is needed to achieve a better understanding of the signaling pathway
involved in the antioxidant effect of mogrosides.
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