Hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells is inhibited by parthenolide.

AIM

To explore the effect of parthenolide on hydrogen peroxide (HO)-induced apoptosis in human lens epithelial (HLE) cells.

METHODS

The morphology and number of apoptotic HLE cells were assessed using light microscopy and flow cytometry. Cell viability was tested by MTS assay. In addition, the expression of related proteins was measured by Western blot assay.

RESULTS

Apoptosis of HLE cells was induced by 200 µmol/L HO, and the viability of these cells was similar to the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50), as examined by MTS assay. In addition, cells were treated with either different concentrations (6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 µmol/L) of parthenolide along with 200 µmol/L HO or only 50 µmol/L parthenolide or 200 µmol/L HO for 24h. Following treatment with higher concentrations of parthenolide (50 µmol/L), fewer HLE cells underwent HO-induced apoptosis, and cell viability was increased. Further, Western blot assay showed that the parthenolide treatment reduced the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9, which are considered core apoptotic proteins, and decreased the levels of phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), ERK1/2 [a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family], and Akt proteins in HLE cells.

CONCLUSION

Parthenolide may suppress HO-induced apoptosis in HLE cells by interfering with NF-κB, MAPKs, and Akt signaling.