Affiliations: Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul,
Korea
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Jae-Kwan Hwang, Department of
Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 134 Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
120-749, Korea. Tel.: +82 2 2123 5881; Fax: +82 2 362 7265; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: In this study, we investigated the protective effect of macelignan,
isolated from Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) against
tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced cytotoxicity in a
human hepatoma cell line, HepG2. The tetrazolium dye colorimetric test (MTT
test) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay were used to monitor cell viability
and necrosis, respectively. Lipid peroxidation [malondialdehyde (MDA)
formation] was estimated by the fluorometric method. Intracellular reactive
oxygen species (ROS) formation was measured using a fluorescent probe
2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), and DNA damage was detected
using single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). The results showed that
macelignan significantly reduced the cell growth inhibition and necrosis caused
by t-BHP. Furthermore, macelignan ameliorated lipid
peroxidation as demonstrated by a reduction in MDA formation in a
dose-dependent manner. It was also found that macelignan reduced intracellular
ROS formation and DNA damaging effect caused by t-BHP. These
results strongly suggest that macelignan has significant protective ability
against oxidative damage caused by reactive intermediates.
