Protective effect of the methanolic extract from Duchesnea indica against oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo

Duchesnea indica (Rosaceae family) is herb used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study we investigated its protective activity against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cytotoxicity in human skin fibroblast (CCD-986Sk) cells and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced H2O2 in the skin of hairless mice. Pretreatment of CCD-986Sk cells with methanolic extract of D. indica (DIM) improved the cell viability, enhanced activity of catalase, and decreased the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in H2O2 injured cells. Furthermore, DIM inhibited cell apoptosis and Bax expression induced by H2O2. In addition, the level of H2O2 stimulated by TPA was decreased by DIM in the skin of hairless mice. These results suggest that DIM offers protection against oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo, and this ability suggests potential use for protection against oxidation-induced skin damage.