A Natural Herbal Beverage Exhibits Significant Cytoprotection and Promotes Nrf‐2 Activation in Cells

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a central feature of chronic diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, the aging process, and exposure to environmental toxins. Therefore, activating cytoprotective defense mechanisms through natural, non‐toxic nutritional interventions might provide an important avenue for improving human health. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of an herbal‐rich beverage (Cleanse For Life [CFL]) in both homogeneous solutions and in cellular models of oxidative stress and toxicity using HepG2 and human prostate PWR‐1E cells. In solution, CFL scavenged hydroxyl (IC50: 50.4 μg/ml), ABTS+(IC50: 124.7 μg/ml), and DPPH (IC50: 256 μg/ml) free radicals while demonstrating metal‐chelating activity toward ferric ion (IC50: 60.5 μg/ml). In HepG2 cells, CFL (10‐100 μg/ml) dose‐dependently inhibited H2O2‐induced oxidative stress (21‐67%, p蠄0.001). CFL (10‐25 μg/ml) also decreased expression of cytochrome P450s E1 (up to 30%) and A1/A2 (up to 46%) but significantly increased expression of glutathione transferases mu and pi. Moreover, CFL strongly induced (1.7‐fold) expression of Nrf‐2 (Nuclear factor erythroid‐derived 2‐like 2), a primary transcription factor of antioxidant enzymes. Finally, exposing HepG2 or PWR‐1E cells to the environmental toxin polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB‐153) promoted substantial cytotoxicity which was abrogated by CFL. Together, these results suggest that the herbal bioactives present in CFL activate cellular antioxidant defenses and confer strong cytoprotection in cells. Future studies should investigate effects of CFL in modulating oxidative stress and detoxification in humans.