Cucumis sativus Aqueous Fraction Inhibits Angiotensin II-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress In Vitro

Nutrients. 2018 Feb 28;10(3):276. doi: 10.3390/nu10030276.

Abstract

Inflammation and oxidative stress play major roles in endothelial dysfunction, and are key factors in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effect of three subfractions (SFs) from the Cucumis sativus aqueous fraction to reduce inflammatory factors and oxidative stress induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) in human microvascular endothelial cells-1 (HMEC-1) cells. The cells were cultured with different concentrations of Ang II and 0.08 or 10 μg/mL of SF1, SF2, or SF3, or 10 μmol of losartan as a control. IL-6 (Interleukin 6) concentration was quantified. To identify the most effective SF combinations, HMEC-1 cells were cultured as described above in the presence of four combinations of SF1 and SF3. Then, the effects of the most effective combination on the expression of adhesion molecules, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) were evaluated. Finally, a mass spectrometry analysis was performed. Both SF1 and SF3 subfractions decreased the induction of IL-6 by Ang II, and C4 (SF1 and SF3, 10 μg/mL each) was the most effective combination to inhibit the production of IL-6. Additionally, C4 prevented the expression of adhesion molecules, reduced the production of ROS, and increased the bioavailability of NO. Glycine, arginine, asparagine, lysine, and aspartic acid were the main components of both subfractions. These results demonstrate that C4 has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Keywords: Cucumis sativus; ROS; angiotensin II; inflammation.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / isolation & purification
  • Amino Acids / pharmacology*
  • Angiotensin II / toxicity*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / isolation & purification
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cucumis sativus* / chemistry
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-6
  • Plant Extracts
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Angiotensin II
  • Nitric Oxide