Modulation of oxidative stress by proanthocyanidin in H2O2-exposed human diploid fibroblast cells

Proanthocyanidin (a persimmon-peel extract) is known to have potent antioxidative effects, but its protective action specifically against cellular damage has not been fully explored. In this work, we investigated the protective property of proanthocyanidin against cellular oxidative stress with an experimental model, H2O2-exposed human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs). To investigate the proposed underlying beneficial actions of proanthocyanidin as to cellular injury induced by H2O2, several major biochemical parameters were determined, including estimation of total reactive species (RS) generation, antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glulathione (GSSG) ratio, and mitochondrial membrane potential. The results indicate that proanthocyanidin reduced total RS generation while enhancing the activities of catalase and glutathione reductase and the GSH/GSSG ratio. Additionally, proanthocyanidin was found to protect against mitochondrial membrane damage in HDFs treated H2O2. Based on these results, we conclude that proanthocyanidin has strong protective effects against cellular damage to several key cellular functions by suppressing oxidative stress in H2O2-treated HDFs.