Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medic. extract alleviate cataract development by regulating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway of the lens epithelial cells
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Published on: December 1, 2023
Liang-Kun Xie1, Xia-Jing Xu1, Xiao Wu1
1School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China.
Ethnopharmacological Relevance:
Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medic. (CBP) is a cruciferous plant valuable in reducing fever, improving eyesight and calming the liver. This herb was recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica for cataract treatment.
Aim Of The Study:
To determine the effects and mechanism of CBP on cataract prevention and treatment using a selenite cataract model.
Materials And Methods:
The main compounds in CBP extract were analyzed by UPLC, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. Flavonoids formed a significant proportion of its compounds, thus necessitating an evaluation of their inhibitory effects on the development of cataract using a selenite cataract model. The protective effects of CBP flavonoids (CBPF) against oxidative damage and the modulation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway were subsequently verified on H2O2-treated SRA01/04 lens epithelial cells.
Results:
CBPF significantly alleviated the development of cataract by decreasing the MDA level and increasing the GSH-Px and SOD levels in the lens. It also inhibited H2O2-induced apoptosis in SRA01/04 cells, increased the expression of Bcl-2 protein and decreased the expressions of Caspase-3 and Bax proteins.
Conclusion:
CBPF exerts a significant preventive effect on cataract development by regulating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway of the lens epithelial cells. It is thus a potent traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) whose application should be further developed for the clinical treatment of cataract.
