Ophiopogonin D prevents H2O2-induced injury in primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Aim of the studyVessel endothelium injury caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) including H2O2 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders. Therefore, drug targeting ROS elimination has highly clinical values in cardiovascular therapy. The plant of Radix Ophiopogon japonicus is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been commonly used for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases for a long history. However, the effective component mediating its beneficial effects remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the action of Ophiopogonin D (OP-D), one of the most bioactive components of Radix Ophiopogon japonicus, in an endothelial injury model induced by H2O2.Materials and methodsPrimarily cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pretreated with increased doses of OP-D overnight and then challenged with H2O2. The protective effects of OP-D against H2O2 were evaluated.ResultsWe found that OP-D inhibited mRNA levels of antioxidant, inflammatory and apoptotic genes in a dose-dependent manner in HUVECs. H2O2-induced lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation were reduced by OP-D pretreatment. Mitochondrial ROS generation and cell apoptosis were also attenuated in OP-D pretreated cells. In addition, OP-D restored cellular total antioxidative capacity and inhibited the release of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, OP-D suppressed the enzymatic activity of catalase, HO-1, and caspases. Finally, OP-D blocked activation of NF-κB and ERK signaling cascades.ConclusionOur findings provide the first evidence that OP-D plays a protective role as an effective antioxidant in H2O2-induced endothelial injury. Ophiopogonin D can be therefore developed as a novel drug for the therapy of cardiovascular disorders.

MitoTracker Red staining showed that Ophiopogonin D inhibited the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in a dose-dependent manner in H2O2-challenged human umbilical vein endothelial cells.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide