Protective effect of Boerhaavia diffusa L. against mitochondrial dysfunction in angiotensin II induced hypertrophy in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells

PLoS One. 2014 Apr 30;9(4):e96220. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096220. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a critical role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. So mitochondria are emerging as one of the important druggable targets in the management of cardiac hypertrophy and other associated complications. In the present study, effects of ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa (BDE), a green leafy vegetable against mitochondrial dysfunction in angiotensin II (Ang II) induced hypertrophy in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts was evaluated. H9c2 cells challenged with Ang II exhibited pathological hypertrophic responses and mitochondrial dysfunction which was evident from increment in cell volume (49.09±1.13%), protein content (55.17±1.19%), LDH leakage (58.74±1.87%), increased intracellular ROS production (26.25±0.91%), mitochondrial superoxide generation (65.06±2.27%), alteration in mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm), opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) and mitochondrial swelling. In addition, activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes (I-IV), aconitase, NADPH oxidase, thioredoxin reductase, oxygen consumption rate and calcium homeostasis were evaluated. Treatment with BDE significantly prevented the generation of intracellular ROS and mitochondrial superoxide radicals and protected the mitochondria by preventing dissipation of ΔΨm, opening of mPTP, mitochondrial swelling and enhanced the activities of respiratory chain complexes and oxygen consumption rate in H9c2 cells. Activities of aconitase and thioredoxin reductase which was lowered (33.77±0.68% & 45.81±0.71% respectively) due to hypertrophy, were increased in BDE treated cells (P≤0.05). Moreover, BDE also reduced the intracellular calcium overload in Ang II treated cells. Overall results revealed the protective effects of B. diffusa against mitochondrial dysfunction in hypertrophy in H9c2 cells and the present findings may shed new light on the therapeutic potential of B. diffusa in addition to its nutraceutical potentials.

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cardiomegaly / drug therapy*
  • Cardiomegaly / metabolism
  • Cardiomegaly / pathology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Size / drug effects
  • Heart / drug effects
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Mitochondria, Heart / drug effects*
  • Mitochondria, Heart / metabolism
  • Mitochondria, Heart / pathology*
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore
  • Mitochondrial Swelling / drug effects
  • Myocardium / cytology*
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Nyctaginaceae / chemistry*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Superoxides / metabolism

Substances

  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore
  • Plant Extracts
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Superoxides
  • Angiotensin II
  • Calcium

Grants and funding

Research fellowship only. No other external funding for the work. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.