Extract Protects Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Death and Membrane Permeability.

BACKGROUND

Pueraria is used in traditional Asian medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases, diarrhea, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic complications such as diabetic retinopathy. Oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelial cells is implicated in the pathogenesis of retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Here, we evaluated whether the extract can prevent cell death and decrease membrane permeability in oxidative stress-induced human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

METHODS

The effects of extract on hydrogen peroxide- (HO-) induced oxidative stress were investigated using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. The effects of puerarin, daidzein, and daidzin isolated from extract were also studied by determining cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun -terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation.

RESULTS

Our results showed that the extract inhibited ROS generation, suppressed the disruption of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and reduced membrane permeability in HO-induced human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Additionally, the extract prevented the inhibition of p38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylation.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the extract has the potential to prevent AMD development by inhibiting the mechanism underlying oxidative stress-mediated ocular disorders.