C-phycocyanin from Spirulina maxima protects hepatocytes against oxidative damage induced by H2O2 in vitro

Oxidative damage is implicated in the pathogenesis of various liver injuries. C-phycocyanin (C-PC), which is a potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant agent, has been reported to have hepatoprotective activities in in vivo studies. The protective effect of C-PC on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced damage was investigated in human hepatocyte cell line L02. The cell viability was determined using the tetrazolium dye colorimetric test (MTT test) and the cytotoxicity was estimated by alanine aminotransferase (ALT) leakage. Morphological changes were observed under a light microscope stained with Wright-Giemsa dye solution. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was measured using a fluorescent probe 2,7-dichlorohydrofluoroscein diacetate (H2DCFDA). Lipid peroxidation was estimated through malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, while antioxidant ability was estimated using SOD activity and GSH level. Our results showed H2O2-induced cell death with apoptotic characteristics including growth inhibition and chromatin condensation. When the cells were co-incubated with C-PC, cytotoxicity induced by H2O2 was significantly attenuated. Moreover, C-PC significantly prevented the H2O2-induced overproduction of intracellular ROS and MDA, as well as changes in SOD activity and GSH level. Taken together, our results suggest that C-PC protects human hepatocyte cells against H2O2-induced damage through attenuating oxidative stress. These results support the potential hepatoprotective effect of C-PC by preventing oxidative stress in hepatocytes.