Protective Effects of Fruit Extract of and Quercetin on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell Injury Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide

The Nastaran plant, with the scientific name of , has been used since ancient times as a plant with medicinal properties. In the present study, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used to examine the protective effects of fruit extract (RCFE) and its flavonoid ingredient (quercetin) against HO-induced cell injury. RCFE (1.25-20 μg/mL) and quercetin (1.25-20 μM) were exposed to HO-oxidizing agent (1 and 2 mM) and the protective effect was examined on HUVEC cells by Alamar Blue test. The amount of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured by using DCFDA reagent by fluorimetric method. The effects of RCFE and quercetin on cell apoptosis were studied by staining with hypotonic PI solution and flow cytometry. The amount of PARP and survivin involved in the apoptotic process was measured using the western blot analysis. The results of the Alamar Blue test showed that RCFE and quercetin could reduce the toxicity of HO. RCFE and quercetin were able to significantly increase cell viability against HO. Also, it was found that RCFE and quercetin reduced the production of ROS by HO. It was found that RCFE and quercetin reduced the apoptosis and sub-G1 peak area in flow histogram after exposure of cells to HO. Based on western blot results, pretreatment with RCFE and quercetin could significantly increase survivin protein after exposure of cells to HO. Also, RCFE and quercetin could significantly reduce the amount of cleaved PARP after exposure of cells to HO. RCFE and its ingredient (quercetin) can be considered a promising source of phytochemicals in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.