Inhibition of ALV-A-induced apoptosis in DF-1 cells via inactivation of nuclear transcription factor κB by anthocyanins from purple corn (Zea mays L.)

Ten anthocyanins were identified from purple corn (Zea mays L.), Jingzi variety, by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in order to assess their anti-avian leukosis virus subgroup A (ALV-A) induced cell apoptosis in vitro. The inhibitory activity and mechanism were evaluated by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, Trans AM™ and western blotting. Total anthocyanins from purple corn (TAPC) exhibited a dose-dependent effect on decreasing apoptosis of chicken embryo fibroblasts, DF-1 cell, infected with ALV-A in the range of 4-12 µg/mL. Meanwhile, TAPC decreased transfer levels of nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) p50/p65 from cytoplasm to nucleus, and downregulated the expression of NF-κB p50/p65 which promoted DF-1 cell cytopathic effects evaluated by western blotting. TAPC inhibited ALV-A induced apoptosis in DF-1 cells via inactivation of NF-κB p50/p65.