Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of catalpol, an effective component of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch, against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cytotoxicity in H9c2 cells and to find out its potential mechanisms. The cell viability was assayed by MTT assay. Apoptotic cells were evaluated by Hoechst 33258 staining. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, the malondialdehyde (MDA) activity and intracellular of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were examined. The activity of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured.Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of catalpol on the antitumor activity of DOX in HeLa cervical carcinoma cells with MTT assay. The results of MTT assay and measurement of LDH release showed that catalpol significantly reduced DOX-induced damage. Catalpol reduced intracellular ROS, decreased the concentration of MDA and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes in DOX-treated H9c2 cells. Importantly, the MTT analysis showed that the addition of catalpol did not interfere with the antitumor activity of DOX in HeLa cells. Taken together, our findings indicate that catalpol could exert the cardioprotective effects against DOX-induced toxicity without affecting its antitumor activity of this anthracycline.

Key words: Catalpol, doxorubicin, H9c2 cells, reactive oxygen species.