The protective effects of Masson pine pollen aqueous extract on CCl4-induced oxidative damage of human hepatic cells.

Objective: We observed the effects of Masson pine pollen aqueous extracts (MPPAE) on CCl4-induced oxidative damage of the human hepatic cell line L-02.

Methods: We created an in vitro model of oxidative liver damage by treating L-02 human hepatic cells with 40 mmol/L CCl4. Effects of different concentrations of MPPAE on cell proliferation, morphology, and change of functional indexes were observed after addition of CCl4.

Results: CCl4 was toxic to proliferation, cell morphology, and functionality of hepatic cells. It decreased proliferation by 29.3-38.4% and increased AST and ALT activities by 22.3% and 99.2%, respectively. The oxidative stress also disrupted hepatic cell growth and induced pyknosis. Although MPPAE did not prevent decreased proliferation of L-02 cells, the treatment alleviated some CCl4-induced cell morphology changes and inhibited the abnormal rise of ALT (39.8%-70.1%) and AST (14.75-27.25%) activities in a dose dependent manner. A high dose of MPPAE (400 mg/L) ameliorated nucleus deformation to an almost normal appearance.

Conclusions: According to our in vitro model, MPPAE specifically prevented the changes in cell morphology and functional injury caused by CCL4 treatment; however, it offered limited protection against damage-induced reduction of proliferation.