Toxicity of a Diterpene Lactone Isolated from Dioscorea bulbifera on Hepatocytes

AimTo test the toxic effects of a diterpene lactone, diosbulbin-D, isolated from Dioscorea bulbifera L. on hepatocytes.MethodUsing the MTT assay to test the effect of diosbulbin-D on hepatocytes. Selected intracellular enzymes release levels by diosbulbin-D were determined to further validate the toxic effect on hepatocytes. Furthermore, the level of intracellular glutathione and the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by diosbulbin-D were measured by fluorometric and flow cytometry methods.ResultsDiosbulbin-D showed toxic effect on hepatocytes and a significant increase in intracellular release levels of LDH and the liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase confirmed diosbulbin-D's toxic effect. ROS increase was related to the decrease in level of GSH. Cell pretreated NAC almost completely blocked the ROS fluorescence and recovered the cell growth inhibition induced by diosbulbin-D.ConclusionDiosbulbin-D shows direct toxic effect on hepatocytes. The mechanism could be associated with oxidative stress.