Formononetin attenuates hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis and NF-κB activation in RGC-5 cells

Diabetic retinopathy is a common diabetic eye disease caused by changes in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Several studies suggest that the oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy in adults. Formononetin is a flavone with powerful antioxidant properties that exists naturally in various plants and Chinese medicine. In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the antioxidative effects of formononetin on H2O2-induced apoptosis of RGC-5 cells.

Exposure of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to the indicated concentrations of formononetin and H2O2 for 24 h, analyzed by MTT assay. Cells were stained with Annexin V-FITC and PI, analyzed by flow cytometry. And the level of superoxide anions, malondialdehyde (MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG, indicator of oxidative DNA damage) and MnSOD (manganese superoxide dismutase) activity were measured by kits.

Formononetin reduced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis and improved the levels or activity of indicators of oxidative stress. Formononetin also inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), which is a significant transcription factor for RGC-5 apoptosis.

Formononetin may be developed as a antioxidant drug to treat diabetic retinopathy.