Cytotoxicity and cytoprotective effects of citrus flavonoids on insulin-secreting cells BRIN-BD11: beneficial synergic effects

• Published in: Natural product research Vol. 27; no. 10; pp. 925 - 928
• Main Authors: Felipe, E.T., Maestri, J.S., Kanunfre, C.C., Curi, R., Newsholme, P., Carpinelli, A.R., Oliveira-Emilio, H.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Group 01.05.2013
• Subjects: Cell Line, Tumor; Citrus - chemistry; citrus flavonoids; cytotoxicity; diabetes mellitus; Flavonoids - chemistry; Flavonoids - pharmacology; Humans; hydrogen peroxide; Hydrogen Peroxide - pharmacology; Insulin-Secreting Cells - drug effects; Insulin-Secreting Cells - metabolism; oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; synergism
• ISSN: 1478-6419; 1478-6427
• DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2012.671315

Flavonoids, in general, have potent antioxidant activity and they can be used in treating chronic diseases involving oxidative stress, such as diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity and cytoprotective effects of citrus flavonoids on the functionality of BRIN-BD11 cells. The assessment of cytotoxic and cytoprotective flavonoid tested was performed using the MTT reduction assay. The flavonoids did not show cytotoxic effects in any of the tested concentrations (5-20 µM) and also negative insulinotropic effects were not observed. To cytoprotective assay, the IC50 of H 2 O 2 in treatment of 2 h (acute oxidative stress) was measured (350 µM). Moreover, under acute oxidative stress, the isolated flavonoids (10 µM) had no cytoprotective effects. Besides an antioxidant role of the flavonoids was only observed when using in association. Thus future experiments are needed, varying the experimental condition, to better evaluate the possible mechanisms of action of these flavonoids.