In vitro assessment of three different artemisia species for their antioxidant and anti-fibrotic activity

Abstract

Abstract The aqueous extracts of three different Artemisia species (Artemisia capillaris, Artemisia iwayomogi, & Artemisia annua) were evaluated for their antioxidant potential and antiproliferation, antifibrotic effect using activated rat HSC-T6 cells. The antioxidant activities of these plant extracts were assessed by different in vitro methods, such as free radical scavenging assays by DPPH, Superoxide, Hydroxyl, Nitric oxide and H2O2, and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total antioxidant abilities, and Iron chelating activity. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were examined as well. Antifibrotic effects were investigated for three Artemisia species by measuring the hydroxyproline content and analyzing the gene expression of the two main fibrogenic cytokines of TGF-β and α-SMA in activated HSC-T6 cells. Among the tested Artemisia species, Artemisia capillaries is highest in TPC, TFC, TAC and FRAP while compared to others with 900.91 ± 22.81 (μg/g of GAE), 2918.83 ± 109.37 (μg/g of QE), 43.21 ± 0.28 (μg/g of GAE) and 3880.24 ± 340.37 (μg/g of FeSO4) respectively. The aqueous extracts of all Artemisia species reduced the proliferation of activated HSC – T6 cells. Regarding antifibrotic effect, the hydroxyproline content was significantly reduced in a concentration-dependent manner while treated with extracts. Further the activated HSCs drastically upregulated the fibrogenic cytokines (TGF-β, α-SMA), while the addition of three Artemisia extracts (50 μg/mL) significantly reduced these alterations. However, Artemisia capillaris and Artemisia iwayomogi enormously reduced both TGF-β and α-SMA expressions.