Protective effects of hyperoside against human umbilical vein endothelial cell damage induced by hydrogen peroxide

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Hyperoside (Hyp) is a flavonoid compound isolated from Rhododendron ponticum L. leaves that elicits vascular protective effects in vitro. Treatment with Hyp has been found to attenuate endothelial cell damage induced by oxidative stress, but its mechanisms of action remain unclear.This study investigated the action of Hyp in an endothelial injury model induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), as well as its possible mechanisms.

Materials and methods

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with H₂O₂ alone or in combination with Hyp. The protective effects of Hyp against H₂O₂ were evaluated, and the activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) in Hyp was assayed in HUVECs.

Results

Loss of cell viability as well as excessive cell apoptosis and death were observed in HUVECs after 18 h of challenge with H₂O₂ (400 μM); however, both cell apoptosis and death were attenuated in the Hyp-pretreated cells. Western blot analysis revealed that Hyp increased the expression of Bcl-2 but decreased that of Bax. In addition, Hyp induced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in HUVECs.

Conclusion

These observations provide preliminary evidence that Hyp protects HUVECs against H₂O₂ damage, at least partially, by activating the ERK signaling pathway.