Protective effects of Quercus salicina blume leaves aqueous extracts against cadmium-induced oxidative stress and cell cytotoxicity in HK-2 cells | Functional Foods in Health and Disease - Online ISSN: 2160-3855; Print ISSN: 2378-7007 Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer Open Menu Functional Foods in Health and Disease - Online ISSN: 2160-3855; Print ISSN: 2378-7007 Home Food Science Publisher Functional Food Center Current Archives About About the Journal Aims and Scope Contact Editing Services Editorial Team Express Peer Review Graphical Abstract Journal Insights Privacy Statement Submissions Announcements Search Search Register Login Home / Archives / Vol. 13 No. 11 (2023): November 2023 / Research Articles Protective effects of Quercus salicina blume leaves aqueous extracts against cadmium-induced oxidative stress and cell cytotoxicity in HK-2 cells Authors Yun Jeong Kim Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Hanyang University Kim Yu Jung Joo-Won Lee Department of Active Aging Industry, Division of Industrial Information Studies, Hanyang University Ae-son Om Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Hanyang University DOI: https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i11.1057 Abstract Background: Quercus salicina Blume is an evergreen plant growing southern parts of Korea and Japan, and has been used for the treatment of dysentery, dermatitis, and hemorrhage from possible effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-endemic and litholytic activities. We investigated the underlying mechanisms of Quercus salicina Blume leaf extracts (QS) protection against cadmium treatment utilizing human kidney origin HK-2 cells. Methods: To ascertain the functional constituents of the hot water-extracted QS, we conducted analyses to determine the total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Subsequently, the antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric ion reducing antioxidant power) methods. After treating HK-2 cells with QS and Cd, we confirmed the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of related proteins through western blotting. This investigation aimed to assess the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of QS against cadmium-induced oxidative stress.  Results: QS exhibited strong antioxidative potential, since the samples exhibited significantly high DPPH and FRAP values. Upon exposure of HK-2 cells to cadmium, inducing oxidative stress, the application of QS effectively reinstated cellular antioxidative functions, leading to an augmentation in cell viability. Notably, the presence of QS attenuated the heightened expression of oxidative marker enzymes induced by cadmium treatment, including SOD (superoxide dismutase) 1, catalase, Nrf-2, and Heme-oxygenase. The apparent disappearance of the apoptotic bodies indicates a potential apoptosis controlling effect of QS. Furthermore, the considerable increase in sub-G1 phase with the addition of cadmium was diminished under QS treatment indicating the ability of QS to reduce the degree of apoptosis related cell cycle phase. The apoptotic quenching effects of QS were accompanied by the downregulation of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2. The examination of cleaved caspase-9 and caspase-3 has provided evidence that the pronounced anti-apoptotic activities observed in cadmium-challenged HK-2 cells significantly diminished in the presence of QS.  Conclusions: QS is a highly effective antioxidant and reduces cell cytotoxicity caused by cadmium through antioxidant functions and anti-apoptotic capabilities. Keywords: Quercus salicina Blume leave, cadmium, antioxidant, anti-apoptosis Author Biographies Yun Jeong Kim, Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Hanyang University Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Hanyang University Ph.D Candidate  Joo-Won Lee, Department of Active Aging Industry, Division of Industrial Information Studies, Hanyang University Department of Active Aging Industry, Division of Industrial Information Studies, Hanyang University Ae-son Om, Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Hanyang University Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Hanyang University Full Professor  Downloads [Abstract] [Full Article] Published 2023-11-22 Issue Vol. 13 No. 11 (2023): November 2023 Section Research Articles License Authors retain the copyright of their articles and grant the Functional Food Center (FFC) and its journals the right of first publication under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, including commercial use, provided the original author(s) and source are properly credited. Authors may post and share their published work freely, provided that the original publication in this journal is acknowledged. By submitting to this journal, authors confirm that their manuscripts are original, not under consideration elsewhere, and that they hold the necessary rights to grant this license. The Functional Food Center encourages open scientific exchange and allows derivative and extended works, provided attribution to the original publication is maintained. About the Journal      Editing Services      Graphical Abstract      Journal Insights        Submissions        Editorial Team       Privacy Statement        Contact        Current        Archives   Open Journal Systems Hosting and Support by: OpenJournalSystems.com