Icariin Prevents H₂O₂‐Induced Apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt Pathway in Rat Nucleus Pulposus Intervertebral Disc Cells

Abstract

Icariin is a prenylated flavonol glycoside derived from the Chinese herb Epimedium sagittatum. This study investigated the mechanism by which icariin prevents H2O2-induced apoptosis in rat nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. NP cells were isolated from the rat intervertebral disc and they were divided into five groups after 3 passages: (A) blank control; (B) 200 μM H2O2; (C) 200 μM H2O2 + 20 μM icariin; (D) 20 μM icariin + 200 μM H2O2 + 25 μM LY294002; (E) 200 μM H2O2 + 25 μM LY294002. LY294002 is a selective inhibitor of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. NP cell viability, apoptosis rate, intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, and the expression of AKT, p-AKT, p53, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 were estimated. The results show that, compared with the control group, H2O2 significantly increased NP cell apoptosis and the level of intracellular ROS. Icariin pretreatment significantly decreased H2O2-induced apoptosis and intracellular ROS and upregulated p-Akt and BCL-2 and downregulated caspase-3 and Bax. LY294002 abolished the protective effects of icariin. Our results show that icariin can attenuate H2O2-induced apoptosis in rat nucleus pulposus cells and PI3K/AKT pathway is at least partly included in this protection effect.

Tea Polyphenol Attenuates Oxidative Stress‐Induced Degeneration of Intervertebral Discs by Regulating the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE Pathway

“…In the present study, we established an in vitro model for oxidative stress analysis in NPCs. Many studies have suggested that H 2 O 2 could induce oxidative stress injury, inflammatory response, apoptosis, matrix reduction, and, finally, degeneration of NPCs [ 16 – 18 ]. Consistently, our study identified the degenerative role of H 2 O 2 and established an in vitro model for oxidative stress analysis in NPCs.…”

Icariin promotes wound healing by enhancing the migration and proliferation of keratinocytes via the AKT and ERK signaling pathway

“…Previous studies have reported that icariin treatment significantly induces the phosphorylation of AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in dopaminergic EMS 23.5 cells ( 8 ). Deng et al ( 9 ) have also reported that icariin significantly upregulates the level of phosphorylated (p)-AKT in rat nucleus pulposus cells. As the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK are closely associated with the migration and proliferation of keratinocytes ( 10 ), it is logical to hypothesize that icariin could promote keratinocyte migration and proliferation, thus exerting a beneficial effect on wound healing.…”

Icariin Improves the Viability and Function of Cryopreserved Human Nucleus Pulposus‐Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

“…A large number of in vitro and in vivo studies suggested that ICA could scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) [ 20 ] and exert antioxidative function in protecting the brain and heart [ 21 – 23 ]. Furthermore, ICA demonstrated other extensive pharmacological effects such as antiapoptosis effect, reproductive effect, anti-inflammation effect, and immunoprotective effect [ 24 , 25 ]. Due to its extensive cell protective effects, we hypothesized that ICA could be used in cryopreservation of NPMSCs.…”