Protective Effects of Rubus coreanus Miq. Extracts Against Arsenic Trioxide-Induced Oxidative Stress and Cell Cytotoxicity

Abstract

This study investigated the antioxidant activity in vitro and protective effects in murine macrophage cells against arsenic trioxide treatment with Korean bokbunja berry, Rubus coreanus Miquel leave and stem crude extracts (RCMLS). The total phenolic and flavonoid contents in Rubus coreanus Miquel berry, leave and stem were 1.37 ± 0.01 ~ 2.80 ± 0.02 mg GAE/100g and 54.95 ± 1.65 ~ 109.90 ± 3.06 mg QE/100 g, respectively. The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric Ion reducing antioxidant Potential) values also indicate that RCMLS possess strong antioxidative potentials. Furthermore, at the concentrations of 10, 50, 100 mg/mL, Rubus coreanus Miquel berry crude extracts had no cytotoxicity in Raw 264.7 cells. When murine macrophage cells were challenged with As (Arsenic) to induce oxidative stress, the administered RCMLS had restored cell antioxidative capacities as well as cell viabilities. The protein expression of the oxidative marker enzymes, SOD (superoxide dismutase) 1 and 2, catalase, and Heme-oxygenase was elevated by treating As, and these elevated mode was almost diminished by the addition of RCMLS in macrophage cells. These results suggest that RCMLS have antioxidant and As protective effects, and could be used as a potential antioxidative nutraceutical targeting heavy metal pollution.