As a phenolic alkaloid occurring in Cruciferous plants, sinapine was observed to protect mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) against ·OH-induced damage in this study. It was also found to prevent DNA from damage, to scavenge various free radicals (·OH, ·O 2 , 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid diammonium salt) (ABTS) · , and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH·)), and to reduce Cu 2 to Cu . To further explore the mechanism, the end-product of sinapine reaction with DPPH· was determined using HPLC-electrospray ionization (
·OH-induced oxidative damage is radical-scavenging, which is thought to be via hydrogen atom (H·) transfer (HAT) (or sequential electron (e) proton transfer (SEPT))→RAF pathways.Key words sinapine; mesenchymal stem cell; antioxidant mechanism; Cruciferous plant; ·OH-induced damage; hydrogen atom (H·) transfer (HAT) (or sequential electron (e) proton transfer (SEPT)) radical adduct formation (RAF) Recently, some phytophenols have been reported to suppress reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative stress in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).1) MSCs are known as multipotent fibroblast cells that give rise to cells of the skeletal connective tissue including osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. However, their clinical applications are limited in their expandability and differentiation capacity, because oxidative stress from ROS impact a number of cellular processes, including cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation.2) Phytophenols refer to the phenolic compounds occurring in medicinal plants (especially Chinese herbal medicines). Phytophenols which can suppress ROS-induced oxidative stress, therefore, may suggest a possible new approach to maintain MSC viability and potency for clinical application.