3,4,5‐O‐tricaffeoylquinic acid alleviates ionizing radiation‐induced injury in vitro and in vivo through regulating ROS/JNK/p38 signaling

Abstract

Ionizing radiation (IR) brings many health problems to humans, causing damage to the digestive system, hematopoietic system, and immune system. Natural compounds derived from plants have attracted widespread attention due to their low toxicity. Here, we found that 3,4,5‐O‐tricaffeoylquinic acid (tCQA) extracted from natural plant Azolla imbricata could significantly alleviate the systemic damage in mice caused by IR. In order to further explore the molecular mechanism of the radioprotective effect of tCQA, in vitro experiments confirmed that tCQA could attenuate the cytotoxic effect of IR on the colonic epithelial cell line NCM460 and alleviate the IR‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by the decrease of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, ROS production, and caspase‐dependent apoptosis. In addition, the generation of ROS induced by H2O2 could also be reversed by tCQA. Then, Western blot demonstrated that tCQA could reverse the MAPK signaling pathway activated by IR. However, the inhibitory effect of tCQA on JNK and P38 levels activated by the JNK agonist anisomycin is not obvious; meanwhile, tCQA could inhibit the activation of JNK/P38 induced by H2O2, which suggests that tCQA might inhibit the JNK/P38 signaling pathway by reducing ROS. In short, tCQA inhibits the generation of ROS caused by IR, and then regulates the activity of caspase in the mitochondrial pathway by inhibiting the JNK/P38 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating the apoptosis of NCM460. This research provides an experimental basis for the development of new types of radioprotective agents for medical diagnosis and radiotherapy.

Limonene protects human skin keratinocytes against UVB‐induced photodamage and photoaging by activating the Nrf2‐dependent antioxidant defense system

“…These compounds promote the cellular antioxidant defense system through induction of Nrf2‐mediated antioxidant genes, including HO‐1, NQO‐1, and phase II enzymes 30 . There is evidence that several substances found in nature exhibit strong anti‐oxidant properties that can counteract radiation‐induced oxidative damage in biological systems 31,32 . A recent study has shown that linalool, a natural monoterpenoid protects human skin cells from UVB‐induced oxidative stress 33 .…”

“…30 There is evidence that several substances found in nature exhibit strong anti-oxidant properties that can counteract radiation-induced oxidative damage in biological systems. 31,32 A recent study has shown that linalool, a natural monoterpenoid protects human skin cells from UVB-induced oxidative stress. 33 Limonene is a natural monoterpenoid, therefore, we hypothesized that it can protect skin keratinocytes from UVB-induced photodamage.…”