Protective Effects of Castanopsis cuspidate Through Activation of ERK and NF-κB on Oxidative Cell Death Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract

The protective effect of Castanopsis cuspidate var. sieboldii was examined on H₂O₂-induced cell damage. The ethanol extract of Castanopsis cuspidate was found to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and reduce intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and thus prevent lipid peroxidation and cellular DNA damage induced by H₂O₂. As a result, Castanopsis extract reduced H₂O₂-induced cell death of V79-4 cells via inhibition of apoptosis. Castanopsis extract was also found to increase catalase activity and its protein expression. Further molecular mechanistic studies revealed that Castanopsis extract enhanced phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Taken together, the results suggest that Castanopsis extract protects V79-4 cells against oxidative damage by enhancing catalase activity and modulating the ERK and NF-κB signal pathway.

This study was supported by a grant (IH-9-12-10018193) from Korea Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Energy and by study of the DNA repair regulation with a disease program grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Korea.