Protective effect of apigenin magnesium complex on HO-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in rat hepatic stellate cells.

Apigenin displays antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, effects of apigenin magnesium (AM) complex on these aspects remain unknown. This study investigated the effects of AM complex on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in hydrogen peroxide (HO)-induced rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of AM complex at concentrations of 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/mL were evaluated, comparing to HSCs treated by HO alone. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) levels were measured. Moreover, cell apoptosis, mRNA expression levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), NF-κB, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were assessed. AM complex significantly inhibited oxidative stress and inflammatory response at concentrations of 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 mg/mL (IC = 1.679 mg/mL). AM complex elevated the survival rate of HO-treated HSCs and had no toxic effects on HSCs. AM complex also promoted SOD activity and GSH levels but suppressed ROS, MDA, and NO levels. Additionally, AM complex decreased IL-6 and NF-κB levels, gene expression of TGF-β, NF-κB, and iNOS, as well as induced apoptosis of HSCs. Data indicated that AM complex mitigated oxidative stress and inflammatory responses on HO-treated HSCs, suggesting that AM complex is a possible candidate for anti-hepatic diseases. Additional efforts, both and in humans, are required to assess of AM complex as a potential therapeutic drug in liver diseases.