Ocimum gratissimum Aqueous Extract Protects H9c2 Myocardiac Cells from H₂O₂‐Induced Cell Apoptosis through Akt Signalling

Abstract

Increased cell death of cardiomyocyte by oxidative stress is known to cause dysfunction of the heart. O. gratissimum is one of the more well-known medicinal plants among the Ocimum species and widely used in treatment of inflammatory diseases. In this study, we hypothesized that aqueous extract of O. gratissimum leaf (OGE) may protect myocardiac cell H9c2 from oxidative injury by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Our results revealed that OGE pretreatment dose-dependently protects H9c2 cells from cell death when exposed to H2O2. Additionally, DNA condensation induced by H2O2 was also reduced by OGE pretreatment, suggesting that Ocimum gratissimum extract may attenuate H2O2-induced chromosome damage. Further investigation showed that OGE pretreatment inhibited H2O2-induced activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, as well as H2O2-induced upregulation of proapoptotic Apaf-1 and the release of cytosolic cytochrome c, but has little effect on the activation of caspase-8. Additionally, OGE pretreatment significantly upregulated Bcl-2 expression and Akt phosphorylation, and slightly affected the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases including p38 MAPK and JNK. Taken together, our findings revealed that Ocimum gratissimum extract effectively inhibited the mitochondrial pathway and upregulated Bcl-2 expression, which may be important in protecting H9c2 cells from H2O2-induced cell death.

Beneficial Effects ofOcimum gratissimumAqueous Extract on Rats with CCl4-Induced Acute Liver Injury

“…However, various side effects of siymarin such as nausea, mild headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and joint pain were reported [38, 40]. Recently, similar components of polyphenols and effects on hepatic protection were reported in studies of O. gratissimum [11–14]. As illustrated in Figure 8, our results revealed that both silymarin and OGAE have very similar effects on hepatic protection by increasing antioxidant activities, reducing stress-related proteins and MMP9 activity through ERK and NF- κ B signaling in CCl 4 -challenging rats.…”

Ocimum gratissmum aqueous extract reduces plasma lipid in hypercholesterol-fed hamsters

“…This plant has been prepared in a variety of forms for consumption as food spice or traditional herb in many Asian and African countries since ancient time 12-19. Recent studies also demonstrate many therapeutic activities of the OG aqueous extract (OGE), including anti-inflammation 17, 20, analgesic and spasmolytic activities 21, antidiarrheal activity 13, antihyperglycemic activity 22, and improvement of phagocytic function 23. Notably, this extract has also shown potential properties to protect the user from hazardous bio-organisms, such as anthelminthic or insect-repellant properties, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity 24-28.…”

“…Thus, some of more recent researches focus on its role of immune-modulation 29, 30, cancer chemoprevention 31, 34, and prevention of the vulnerability of immune disorder 30. Moreover, OGE is well documented for its high concentration of phenolic content and effects on free radicals scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition, and cytoprotective activity against oxidative stress 20, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the effects of OGE in preventing hyperlipidemia by using the high fat-cholesterol diet animal model.…”

Peucedanum japonicum Thunb (PJT) Extracts Enhance Adiponectin Secretion in Human Metabolic Stem Cells Screening System and in Healthy Individuals

“…The production of adiponectin in adipocytes has been indicated to be inhibited by production of TNF-α regulating JNK signaling pathway [23][24][25]. In platelet physiology, aqueous extracts of some medicinal plant have been reported to affect the MAPK phosphorylation including p38, JNK, or ERK2 [26,27]. PJT aqueous extract also might contain compounds modulating the activation of some MAPK signaling pathways to ameliorate adiponectin secretion.…”