Atractylodes lancea Up‐Regulates ERK1/2 and p‐ERK1/2 Expression on Hypoxia/Reoxygenation‐Injured H9c2 Cells

Abstract

Atractylodes lancea (Thung) DC. has been used for treatment of fever, flu, sore throat, and common cold. Since, A. lancea contains antioxidant phenolics and flavonoids, A. lancea should be able to protect cardiomyoblasts against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury. In the present study, the cardioprotective effect of A. lancea extract (AL) on H/R‐damaged H9c2 cells was elucidated. Incubation of AL (0.01–1 mg/mL) for 24 h showed no toxic effect on H9c2 cells, measured by MTT assay. Cardioprotective effect of AL was determined on the cells exposed to hypoxic buffer for 6 h followed by reoxygenation in complete medium for 24 h. Treated cells were measured by MTT assay as well as under fluorescent microscopy using Hoechst33342. AL at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL showed an inhibition against H/R‐damaged H9c2 cells, using 6‐hydroxy‐2,5,7,8‐tetramethylchroman‐2‐carboxylic acid as a positive control. Nuclear morphology of H/R‐exposed cells showed shrinking in size, meanwhile normal cells and AL (0.1 mg/mL)‐treated H/R‐exposed cells were found healthy. AL at the same concentration was able to restore the protein expression of ERK1/2 and pERK1/2 when compared to the H/R control. In conclusion, AL inhibited H/R‐injured cardiomyoblasts, which was partly through up‐regulation of ERK1/2 and pERK1/2.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by research grant from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT 2009‐113) and grant from HRH Princess Maha Sirindhorn Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand (N0.359/2556). We specially thank Dr. Sanya Hokputsa for giving us the extracts. The authors gratefully acknowledge help and assistance Mr. Pirapas Yingdamnoona for laboratory manipulation of cell culture.