Cytoprotective effects of the aqueous extract of the Ziziphus jujuba fruit on TBHP-induced damage on human fibroblast cells.

Abstract

Background Oxidative stress plays a major role in the development of various human diseases. However, many antioxidant compounds can neutralize the excess of free radicals, protect the cells against their toxic effects and help prevent or treat a disease. This study investigated the cytoprotective effects of the aqueous extract of the Ziziphus jujuba fruit on the tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-induced damage on human fibroblast cells. Methods Human fibroblast cells were pretreated with different concentrations (1, 2, 4, 8 mg/mL) of Z. jujuba for 24 h and exposed to 75 μM TBHP for another 24 h. Cell viability was determined by the MTT assay. The antioxidant activity was determined using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods, and the intracellular antioxidant activity was evaluated with the Cellular antioxidant activity assay. Results Our data showed that treatment with TBHP reduced cell viability of human fibroblast cells, while pretreatment with Z. jujuba increased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. This indicated the cytoprotective effects of Z. jujuba. Pretreatment with Z. jujuba increased the antioxidant capacity and scavenged the TBHP-produced peroxyl radicals in the human fibroblast cell medium. Moreover, Z. jujuba increased the intracellular antioxidant activity of human fibroblast cells. Conclusions These results demonstrated that the aqueous extract of the Z. jujuba fruit can prevent TBHP-induced cellular toxicity by enhancing the antioxidant activity in cells and their medium. So, Z. jujuba has a therapeutic potential to attenuate oxidative stress-induced diseases.