Administration of rosemary essential oil enhances resistance of rat hepatocytes against DNA-damaging oxidative agents

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the potential DNA-protective effects of rosemary essential oil-supplementation on rat hepatocytes damaged with three different genotoxins attacking DNA by oxidative stress. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) reacts by the generation of hydroxyl radicals, visible light-excited methylene blue forms oxidative DNA lesions via singlet oxygen and 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (DMNQ) induces oxidative stress by participation in redox cycling. Hepatocytes were isolated from rats supplemented with rosemary oil (RO) for 14 days as well as from control rats. The potential protective effects of RO applied in drinking water of animals were tested on the level of DNA using the conventional and modified single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). We found out that administration to rats of rosemary oil, exhibiting free radical-scavenging activity measured by DPPH assay, efficiently and significantly decreased the level of DNA damage induced with H₂O₂, visible light-excited methylene blue and DMNQ.     

牡丹花蕊醇提物对H2O2诱导HUVEC细胞损伤的保护作用

采用高效液相色谱分析牡丹花蕊醇提物的主要成分,并通过H_2O_2诱导HUVEC细胞建立损伤模型,研究牡丹花蕊醇提物对其保护作用。结果表明:牡丹花蕊醇提物主要成分为芦丁、槲皮素和芍药苷3种单体,含量分别为44.25%,15.50%,17.00%;牡丹花蕊醇提物能够降低细胞及其培养液中MDA含量,提高细胞内SOD和GPX活性以及GSH的含量。牡丹花蕊醇提物能够提高HUVEC细胞的抗氧化能力。     

Unraveling a mechanism of honey antibacterial action: Polyphenol/H2O2-induced oxidative effect on bacterial cell growth and on DNA degradation

Several compounds with antibacterial activities were identified in honey however, a mechanism by which they lead to bacterial growth inhibition and bacterial death remains still unknown. We recently found that honeys possess DNA degrading activity mediated by honey hydrogen peroxide and an unknown honey component(s). Here we provide evidence that active honeys (MIC₉₀ of 6.25–12.5% v/v) possessed significantly higher levels of phenolics (p < 0.02) of higher radical scavenging activities (p < 0.005) than honeys of average activity. Removal of H₂O₂ by catalase eliminated bacteriostatic activities caused by both phenolics and H₂O₂ suggesting that the growth inhibition resulted from the coupling chemistry between these compounds. Both phenolics and H₂O₂ were involved in DNA degradation by honeys. Treatment of plasmid DNA with H₂O₂ alone did not affect the DNA integrity but H₂O₂ removal from honey by catalase prevented DNA degradation. Polyphenols extracted from honeys degraded plasmid DNA in the presence of H₂O₂ and Cu(II) in the Fenton-type reaction. The extent of DNA degradation was inversely related to the polyphenol concentration in this system as well as in honeys. At low content, honey polyphenols exerted pro-oxidant activity damaging to DNA. In conclusion, honey phenolics with pro-oxidant activities were necessary intermediates that conferred oxidative action of H₂O₂. Phenolic/H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress constituted the mechanism of honey bacteriostatic and DNA damaging activities.     

Protective effect of whey protein hydrolysates on H2O2-induced PC12 cells oxidative stress via a mitochondria-mediated pathway

Whey protein hydrolysates (WPHs) were prepared with pepsin and trypsin. A PC12 cell model was built to observe the protective effect of WPHs against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress. The results indicated that WPHs reduced apoptosis by 14% and increased antioxidant enzyme activities. Flow cytometry was used to assess the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), Ca²⁺ levels and the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The results showed that WPHs suppressed ROS elevation and Ca²⁺ levels and stabilised MMP by 16%. The anti-apoptosis/pro-apoptosis proteins Bcl-2/Bax and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were investigated by Western-blot analysis, which indicated that WPHs increased the expression of Bcl-2 while inhibiting the expression of Bax and the degradation of PARP. WPHs also blocked Caspase-3 activation by 62%. The results demonstrate that WPHs can significantly protect PC12 cells against oxidative stress via a mitochondria-mediated pathway. These findings indicate the potential benefits of WPHs as valuable food antioxidative additives.     

Antioxidative effects of whey protein on peroxide-induced cytotoxicity

Myoblastic toxicity is a major adverse effect caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) when exercising heavily. Although protection or alleviation of ROS toxicity can be achieved by administration of antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin E and vitamin C, their protective effect remains controversial. Thus, alternative natural antioxidants may be potential candidates for foods for athletes. In this research, we investigated the antioxidative effect of whey protein against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) toxicity using C₂C₁₂ myoblasts. Whey protein pre-incubation prevented the decrease in cell viability after H₂O₂ treatment. The production of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine associated with DNA oxidative damage was also inhibited by the whey protein pre-incubation. Endogenous antioxidant defense, such as glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activity, was also modulated by the antioxidant. At the same time, enhanced mRNA expression levels of heme oxygenase-1 and NADPH quinone oxidoreductase-1 were observed in cells pre-incubated with whey protein before H₂O₂ abuse. These findings suggest that whey protein improved the antioxidant capacity against acute oxidative stress through multiple pathways and this protein may serve as an alternative source of antioxidants for prevention of athletic injuries caused by ROS.     

Free radical scavenging activity and comparative proteomic analysis of antioxidative protein against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in neuronal cells

Artemisia annua was enzymatically hydrolyzed by five proteases and seven carbohydrases. All enzymatic extracts scavenged DPPH, hydroxyl and alkyl radicals. Especially, the Protamex among the various proteases and Maltogenase among the various carbohydrases extracts exhibited the highest scavenging activity on hydroxyl radical. The extracts of A. annua clearly reduced neuronal cell death from H₂O₂-induced damage. In addition, a proteomic analysis, two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight/time of flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) was used to identify the proteins of the neuronal cells whose expressions were or were not altered by the treatment of the Maltogenase extracts which showed the highest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity among all enzymatic extracts for 24 h. The protein characterisation revealed that translation elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), Immunoglobulin E (IgE) and voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC-1) were involved in the cell survival effects against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that EF-Tu, IgE and VDAC-1 have an important role in the reduction of neuronal apoptosis by oxidative stress, and the enzymatic extracts of A. annua shows potent antioxidative activities by regulating EF-Tu, IgE and VDAC-1.     

Protective effect of Centella asiatica extract and powder on oxidative stress in rats

The effect of Centella asiatica extract and powder in reducing oxidative stress in SpraqueDawley rats was evaluated. Lipid peroxidation was monitored by measuring malonaldehyde (MDA) level in blood. Activities of free radical-scavenging enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) were determined using H₂O₂ decomposition and nitrobluetetrazolium reduction, respectively. Results showed that administration of H₂O₂ (0.1%) in drinking water of the rats, for 25 weeks, increased the malonaldehyde levels in erythrocytes of all the rats. However, rats receiving C. asiatica extract, powder and α-tocopherol had lower MDA levels than did the other rats, which indicates, decrease lipid peroxidation in these rats. Increase in catalase activity of the rats appears to be a response to H₂O₂ accumulation. The decrease in the activity of superoxide dismutase in C. asiatica- and α-tocopherol supplemented rats suggested a lower requirement for the enzyme and this indicates the protective effect of the plant in combating oxidative stress undergone by the rats. Results revealed that C. asiatica extract and powder may ameliorate H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress by decreasing lipid peroxidation via alteration of the antioxidant defence system of the rats.     

Antioxidant effect derived from bioaccessible fractions of fruit beverages against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells

This work evaluates the effect of bioaccessible fractions from fruit beverages against oxidative stress (OS) in Caco-2 cells. A fruit beverage (grape + orange + apricot) (with/without milk and/or iron/zinc) was subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, and bioaccessible fractions were incubated with Caco-2 cell cultures. Following preincubation, OS was induced with 5 mM H₂O₂. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial potential (Δψ_m), mitochondrial metabolism (MTT test), intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) were measured. The data evidenced viable cultures with increased mitochondrial metabolism and GSH-Rd activities, without alteration in SOD activity. Accordingly, more preserved mitochondrial integrity was also evidenced, allowing the action of antioxidant systems in preincubated cultures. Based on these data, we can conclude that a cytoprotective effect is derived from bioaccessible fractions of fruit beverages, though this effect failed to prevent intracellular ROS accumulation in Caco-2 cell cultures exposed to 5 mM H₂O₂.     

Phospholipase A2 and antioxidant enzyme activities in normal and PSE pork

In order to reveal the relationship between phospholipase A₂ and antioxidant enzymes and drip loss in pork, the study was designed to examine the effects of phospholipase A₂ and antioxidant enzymes on the water-holding capacity of pork during postmortem chilling. Six PSE and RFN samples (longissimus muscle) were used to determine the activities of phospholipase A₂ (tPLA_2, cPLA₂ + sPLA₂ and iPLA₂), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and GSH-Px, and acid phospholipase. The results showed that pH_1 h and pH_24 h from PSE pork were lower (p < 0.01) than for normal pork (RFN), but the L* value at 1 h and 24 h postmortem, TBARS content, drip loss at 48 h and 96 h, cooking loss, tPLA₂ activity and iPLA₂ were higher (p < 0.01) than of normal pork. Correlation analysis indicated that drip loss at 48 h was negatively related to pH_1 h (p < 0.01) and pH_24 h (p < 0.01) but positively to T_1 h (p < 0.01) and the activities of total phospholipase A₂ (p < 0.05) and calcium-independent phospholipases A₂ (p < 0.01). The tPLA₂ and GSH-Px play important roles in drip loss.     

Cytoprotective effect of white tea against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in vitro

The protective effect of water extracts of white tea (WEWT) on oxidative stress in vitro is investigated. WEWT, like water extracts of green tea (WEGT) and water extracts of Pu-erh tea (WEPT), demonstrates a marked inhibition of the oxidation of liposome, albumin and LDLmodel systems. WEWT protects against H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity, in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of ROS generation and MDA formation by WEWT in H₂O₂-induced Clone 9 cells parallels the effects on cell viability. Moreover, GSH and antioxidant enzymes may play an important role in the protective effect that is associated with H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress. The HPLC-DAD and HPLC–MS/MS analysis, shows that sixteen bioactive compounds are present in WEWT, which may partially account for its protective effect against oxidative insult. These results suggest that the mechanism of the protective actions of WEWT is related to its antioxidant potential and the maintenance of the normal redox status of the cell.     

葡萄籽粗多糖的体内外抗氧化作用

为了研究葡萄籽粗多糖(crude polysaccharides from grape seeds,GSCPs)体外抗氧化作用及对秀丽隐杆线虫的体内抗氧化作用,采用水提醇沉法提取GSCPs,检测GSCPs对1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,DPPH)自由基和羟自由基的清除作用及对DNA氧化损伤的抑制作用;建立RAW 264.7巨噬细胞氧化损伤模型,在细胞水平探讨GSCPs的抗氧化能力;同时利用秀丽隐杆线虫研究GSCPs的体内抗氧化功能。体外实验结果表明:GSCPs可有效清除自由基,抑制DNA的氧化损伤,质量浓度为0.4mg/mL的GSCPs对DPPH自由基的清除率达84%,对羟自由基清除率为89%;GSCPs可以下调H₂O₂诱导的RAW 264.7巨噬细胞活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平,正向调节细胞内超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase,GSH-Px)活性,质量浓度为0.2mg/mL的GSCPs处理组可使细胞内SOD活性从H₂O₂处理组的81.1%升至96.3%,GSH-Px活性从H₂O₂处理组的92.1%升至99.6%。此外,GSCPs可延长秀丽隐杆线虫寿命,提高其对抗急性氧化应激的能力,有效清除秀丽隐杆线虫体内的ROS。质量浓度为0.8mg/mL GSCPs处理组秀丽隐杆线虫的平均寿命较对照组延长27.67%,将急性氧化应激的秀丽隐杆线虫平均存活时间延长33.58%,秀丽隐杆线虫体内ROS生成量较对照组可降低56.33%。因此,葡萄籽粗多糖在体内外均表现出良好的抗氧化性,可用于抗氧化功能产品的开发。     

Collagen peptides from Acaudina molpadioides prevent CCl4-induced liver injury via Keap1/Nrf2-ARE,PI3K/AKT,and MAPKs pathways

Collagen peptide from Acaudina molpadioides (AMP) showed antioxidative activity in H₂O₂-induced RAW264.7 cells in our pervious study. In this study, it was observed that AMP could effectively improve the morphology and function of liver in CCl₄-induced mice. After 200 mg/kg AMP treatment, the content of MDA in liver decreased by 62.3%, and the level of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT) increased by more than 65%. Western blot results disclosed that AMP (200 mg/kg) upregulated the Nrf2 level by 73.8% and downregulated Keap1 by 41.0% in CCl₄-induced mice liver. The levels of p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-p38 in 200 mg/kg AMP treatment groups decreased by 57.3%, 40.9%, and 40.6%, but the levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT increased by 162.6% and 60.3%, respectively. Furthermore, the trends of Nrf2, Keap1, p-ERK, p-JNK, p-p38, p-PI3K, and p-AKT levels in H₂O₂-induced RAW264.7 cells after AMP treatment were similar to the results in CCl₄-induced mice liver. These findings provided evidence that AMP exerted antioxidant activity via Keap1/Nrf2-ARE, PI3K/AKT, and MAPKs pathways in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, the collagen peptide from A. molpadioides might represent a novel functional food to prevent acute liver injury via attenuation of oxidative stress.     

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 antioxidant response element pathways protect bovine mammary epithelial cells against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in vitro

The experiment was conducted to determine the role of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like factor 2 (NFE2L2, formerly Nrf2) antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway in protecting bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC) against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress injury. An NFE2L2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) interference or a pCMV6-XL5-NFE2L2 plasmid fragment was transfected to independently downregulate or upregulate expression of NFE2L2. Isolated BMEC in triplicate were exposed to H₂O₂ (600 μM) for 6 h to induce oxidative stress before transient transfection with scrambled siRNA, NFE2L2-siRNA, pCMV6-XL5, and pCMV6-XL5-NFE2L2. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and necrosis rates, antioxidant enzyme activities, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) production, protein and mRNA expression of NFE2L2 and downstream target genes, and fluorescence activity of ARE were measured. The results revealed that compared with the control, BMEC transfected with NFE2L2-siRNA3 had proliferation rates that were 9 or 65% lower without or with H₂O₂, respectively. These cells also had apoptosis and necrosis rates that were 27 and 3.5 times greater with H₂O₂ compared with the control group, respectively. In contrast, transfected pCMV6-XL5-NFE2L2 had proliferation rates that were 64.3% greater or 17% lower without or with H₂O₂ compared with the control group, respectively. Apoptosis rates were 1.8 times lower with H₂O₂ compared with the control. In addition, compared with the control, production of ROS and MDA and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) increased markedly in cells transfected with pCMV6-XL5-NFE2L2 and without H₂O₂. However, compared with the control, production of ROS and MDA and activity of CAT and GSH-Px increased markedly, whereas activities of SOD and GST decreased in cells transfected with pCMV6-XL5-NFE2L2 and incubated with H₂O₂. Compared with the control, cells transfected with NFE2L2-siRNA3 with or without H₂O₂ had lower production of ROS and MDA and activity of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and GST. Cells transfected with pCMV6-XL5-NFE2L2 with or without H₂O₂ had markedly higher protein and mRNA expression of NFE2L2, heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX-1), NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1, glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, and glutamyl cystine ligase modulatory subunit compared with the control incubations. Cells transfected with NFE2L2-siRNA3 without or with H₂O₂ had markedly lower protein and mRNA expression of NFE2L2, HMOX-1, NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1, glutamyl cystine ligase modulatory subunit, and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit compared with the control incubations. In addition, expression of HMOX-1 was 5.3-fold greater with H₂O₂ compared with the control. Overall, results indicate that NFE2L2 plays an important role in the NFE2L2-ARE pathway via the control of HMOX-1. The relevant mechanisms in vivo merit further study.     

Caseinophosphopeptides exert partial and site-specific cytoprotection against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells

Caseinophosphopeptides can sequester prooxidant metals and scavenge free radicals, and may thus be used as functional food ingredients. The total antioxidant capacity (TEAC and ORAC) of two pools of caseinophosphopeptides (1–3 mg/ml), obtained from casein subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion (at two different pH values) and selective precipitation, was evaluated to determine dose–response activity. Pool B (which showed the highest antioxidant capacity due to the presence of more antioxidant amino acids) was used to test its cytoprotective effect against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells. Caseinophosphopeptides protected the cells against oxidative damage by preserving cell viability, increasing GSH content, inducing catalase enzyme activity, diminishing lipid peroxidation and maintaining a correct cell cycle progression. However, they failed to exert protection at a mitochondrial level (ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential), implying a partial and site-specific effect. Thus, their mechanism of action is not only related to free radical scavenging activity, but also to metal chelation and the modulation of intracellular signaling cascades.     

Adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase ameliorates bovine adipocyte oxidative stress by inducing antioxidant responses and autophagy

Adipose tissue concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increases in dairy cows with ketosis, suggesting that the tissue experiences oxidative stress. Autophagy, an adaptive response to cellular stress, has been shown to promote survival and plays a critical role in antioxidant responses. Dysregulation of adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is closely related to antioxidant responses and autophagy of adipocytes in animal models of metabolic disorders, but its role in bovine adipose tissue during periods of stress is unknown. We hypothesized that AMPK may play important roles in the regulation of oxidative stress in adipose tissue of ketotic cows. Specific objectives were to evaluate autophagy status and AMPK activity in adipose tissue of ketotic cows, and their link with oxidative stress in isolated bovine adipocytes. Selection of 15 healthy and 15 clinically ketotic Holstein cows at 17 (±4) d postpartum was performed after a thorough veterinary evaluation for clinical symptoms and also based on serum β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations before collection of subcutaneous adipose tissue samples. Primary cultures of bovine adipocytes isolated from the harvested adipose tissue were stimulated with varying concentrations of H₂O₂ (0, 50, 100, 200, or 400 μM) for 2 h. In another experiment, adipocytes were cultured with the AMPK activator A769662 or adenovirus-containing small interfering RNA (ad-AMPKα-siRNA) for 3 or 48 h, respectively, followed by H₂O₂ exposure (200 μM) for 2 h. Compared with healthy cows, clinical ketosis led to increased abundance of AMPK and nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (NFE2L2), but lower abundance of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) in adipose tissue. Abundance of the key proautophagy proteins Beclin1, sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1), autophagy-related gene 7 (ATG7), ATG5, and ratio of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) II to LC3I were greater in adipose tissue of ketotic cows. In bovine adipocytes, treatment with H₂O₂ induced accumulation of ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA), whereas H₂O₂ stimulation inhibited activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Addition of AMPK activator A769662 increased antioxidant response via activating NFE2L2 and its downstream targets heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase (CAT), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) to improve H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in adipocytes. Simultaneously, activation of AMPK increased abundance of Beclin1, SQSTM1, ATG7, ATG5, and ratio of LC3II to LC3I. In contrast, inhibition of AMPK downregulated abundance of NFE2L2, HMOX1, SOD1, CAT, Beclin1, SQSTM1, ATG7, ATG5, and ratio of LC3II to LC3I, and further aggravated H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress. Overall, these data indicate that activation of AMPK, as an adaptive mechanism for acute metabolic regulation of adipose tissue homeostasis, can induce antioxidant responses and autophagy, and further reduce oxidative stress in bovine adipocytes.     

Protective effects of the crude extracts from yam (Dioscorea alata) peel on tert-butylhydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress in mouse liver cells

Researchers have shown that yam extracts contain antioxidative activity; however, there are few reports regarding the antioxidant activities of yam peel. The effects of water and 50% ethanolic extracts from Darsan yam (Dioscorea alata) peel on the oxidative status of tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP)-treated mouse Hepa 1–6 and FL83B liver cell lines were investigated. The cytosols were analysed for H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and antioxidative enzymes activities, including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase activities. Both water and 50% ethanolic extracts from yam peel did not affect cellular MDA level in t-BHP-treated cells, but they altered the level of H₂O₂. Water extract from yam peel amplified the t-BHP-induced cytotoxicity in Hepa 1–6 whilst the ethanolic extract showed protection in FL83B cells. GPx activity might play an important role in the protective effect associated with t-BHP-induced oxidative stress.     

Antioxidant activity of stilbene glycoside from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb in vivo

Stilbene glycosides were isolated from the ethanol extract of the roots of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. Two samples were obtained; a fraction separated by macroporous resin and pure crystals of 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene 2-O-β-glucopyranoside. The antioxidant activities of these two samples were evaluated using antioxidant tests of rats in vivo. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) of the serum and the organs (liver, heart and brain of rats) of d-galactose induced senile rats which were fed with stilbene glycoside, were increased; however, the content of 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) was decreased. It is concluded that the stilbene glycoside from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb possesses high in vivo antioxidant activity.     

Oryzadine,a new alkaloid of Oryza sativa cv. Heugjinjubyeo, attenuates oxidative stress-induced cell damage via a radical scavenging effect

The antioxidant properties of oryzadine, a new alkaloid, obtained from Oryza sativa cv. Heugjinjubyeo was investigated by applying various methods based on cell-free and cell experiments. Oryzadine showed scavenging effects on the hydroxyl radical, superoxide radical, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oryzadine inhibited H₂O₂-induced DNA damage, which was demonstrated by DNA tail formation, lipid peroxidation which was demonstrated by the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and protein oxidation which was demonstrated by protein carbonyl formation. Therefore, oryzadine protected H₂O₂-induced cell damage. Our results show that the cytoprotective effects of oryzadine stem from its ability to inhibit H₂O₂-induced apoptosis, as demonstrated by a decrease in apoptotic body formation and the inhibition of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) loss. Taken together, these findings suggest that oryzadine protected cells against H₂O₂-induced cell damage via ROS scavenging effect. Therefore, oryzadine could be considered a significant natural source of antioxidant.