Inhibition of UVB-induced oxidative damage and apoptotic biochemical changes in human lymphocytes by 2,5-dihydroxy-3-undecyl-1,4-benzoquinone (embelin)

Abstract

Purpose: The present study investigates the inhibition of Ultraviolet B (UVB, 290–320 nm) radiation-induced oxidative damage in peripheral blood human lymphocytes by embelin extracted from Embelia ribes.

Materials and methods: Embelin was extracted, purified and characterized. Prior to inhibitory assessment, a maximum concentration of embelin that was non-toxic was determined. Six experimental groups, including respective controls were made to assess the inhibitory effect of embelin for the selected concentrations of 10 and 20 μg/ml. For the experimental groups; lymphocytes (1 × 10⁶ cells) were pre-treated with the chosen concentration of embelin for a period of 60 min and then exposed to UVB for 30 min. UVB radiation inhibitory effect of embelin assessed by measuring antioxidant and lipid peroxidation levels, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) at scheduled time points after irradiation.

Results: Pre-treatment of lymphocytes with embelin prevents UVB-induced oxidative damage. An increase in antioxidant levels in irradiated cells in the presence of embelin and UV absorbance of embelin could be the reason for the decrease in lipid peroxidation level and prevention of DNA damage by UVB radiation.

Conclusion: Embelin prevents oxidative stress induced by UVB irradiation via its antioxidant property.

Keywords::

• Embelin
• lymphocytes
• UVB
• DNA damage
• reactive oxygen species
• mitochondrial membrane potential

Acknowledgements

One of the authors thanks the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India, for financial assistance in the form Senior Research Fellowship (SRF). We would like to thank Prof. K.V. Pugalendi, Head, and Mr S. Ramachandran, Research Scholar, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Annamalai University, Tamilnadu, India, for providing the necessary facilities and help.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.