Fructus corni attenuates oxidative stress in macrophages and endothelial cells.

The antioxidant effect of a Chinese medicinal herb, Fructus corni extract (FCE), was investigated using models of oxidative stress in macrophages and vascular endothelial cells. Murine macrophages (J774) were incubated with FCE at 37 degrees C and 5% CO2 for 1 hr. Oxidative burst was triggered by zymosan and measured with a fluorescent probe. FCE exhibited a concentration- dependent suppression of oxidative burst. Confluent monolayers of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) were preincubated with FCE for 20 hrs, washed, and then exposed to an organic oxidant t-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) for 2 hrs. Cell viability was assessed by methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and cell injury by the release of intracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Lipid peroxidation products of PAEC were determined by measuring thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Exposure of PAEC to tBHP resulted in decreased cell viability, increased LDH release, and elevated TBARS. Preincubation of PAEC with FCE significantly reversed these changes. Our results demonstrated that FCE can protect vascular endothelial cells from oxidant injury. The data thus suggest that Fructus corni may be useful for the prevention and/or treatment of disorders associated with oxidative damage.