Momordica and Pycnogenol Can Tolerate Imazamox Induced Toxicity in L929 Cells Line: In Vitro Study ^†

Abstract

Undesirable side effects that result from the random use of herbicides in developing countries are widespread. Imazamox is a widely used herbicide and has toxic effect on humans. Momordica charantia has been reported to possess many benefits and medicinal properties. Pycnogenol (PYC) is a natural plant extract from the bark of Pinus pinaster Aiton and has potent antioxidant activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of pycnogenol and momardica on induced imazamox toxicity effects on L929 fibroblast cell line. L929 fibroblast cells were cultured in the appropriate culture medium. Toxic concentration of imazamox 250 μM, were administered 30 min prior to momordica and pycnogenol (10⁻¹–10⁻⁵ concentration) on L929 fibroblast cell line for 24 h. The cell viability assay was determined by using MTT test. TAC-TOS analysis were used to evaluate antioxidant and oxidant status. According to our study pycnogenol high dose showned protective effect whereas momordica low dose showned protective effect p < 0.05. In current study pycnogenol increased TAC capacity in high dose but in lower dose pycnogenol did not show any promise (p < 0.05). Momordica results showed correlation with MTT result. According to this analyse momordica only in low dose increased anti oxidant capacity and in addition, only in low dose TOS level were decreased (p > 0.05). In conclusion momordica and pycnogenol showed promise to reduced imazamox toxicity.

1. Introduction

In today’s world, the use of herbicide has become so important that their use is inextricably linked with improvement of human welfare. Despite of all the advantages of herbicides, there is worldwide concern about their use because of not specific targeting of herbicides. Imazamox is a member of the imidazolinone class of chemicals including imazapic, imazapyr, imazethapyr, imazamethabenz and imazaquinine, which are part of the Clearfield cropping system [1]. Phenolic compounds found in daily diets have various significant effects on diseases and experimental data are gathering regarding phenolic compounds as natural phytochemical antioxidants important for human health. Momordica charantia also called as bitter melon and kugua is widely cultivated in China, East Africa and South America. This plant has been traditionally used in folk medicine due to its an extensive range of nutritive and pharmacological properties against many diseases. Momordica has major chemical constituents, which are triterpenoids and their glycosides. A growing body of scientific literature has revealed that triterpenoids from Momordica are associated with their free-radical scavenging activity [2]. Pycnogenol (PYC), a family of flavonoids extracted from French maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster Aiton, synonym Pinus maritima Mill.), which consisting of several types of phenolic compounds, condensed flavonoids and phenolic acids. It has been reported to have diverse beneficial pharmacological effects such as potent antioxidants, ROS scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties [3]. In this study we aimed that investigation of protective effect of pycnogenol and momardica on induced imazamox toxicity on L929 fibroblast cell line.

2. Material and Methods

Cell Culture: L929 fibroblast cells were cultured in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM) (Gibco Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS; Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA), 100 IU/mL penicillin and 100 μg/mL of streptomycin in 75 cm₂ culture flasks. Cells were maintained in a humidified atmosphere with 5% CO₂ at 37 °C with medium renewal 2–3 times a week depending on cell density. Determination of Cell Viability: The viability of fibroblast cell was examined by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on the microplate reader (Gibco Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA). Different concentration of imazamox (250 μM), momordica and pycnogenol (10⁻¹–10⁻⁵ concentration) was applied on L929 fibroblast cells line for 24 h [4]. TAC and TOS: Spectrophotometric analysis was used for estimation of oxidative stress levels. Total oxidant status and TAC levels were measured after 24 h exposure to treatments. The cell mediums were collected when the experiments were completed. According to the manufacture procedure, TOS (H₂O₂ Equiv/mmol L-1) absorbance were evaluated at 530 nm and TAC (Trolox Equiv/mmol L-1) at 660 nm was evaluated (Rel assay, Antep, Turkey) [5,6]. Statistically Analysis: The statistical analysis was done by Mann–Whitney U test by using the SPSS 22.0 software (IBM company, Turkey). p < 0.05 was considered as statistically important distinction for whole test.

3. Results

MTT test: To determine cell viability, MTT assay was performed after 24 h exposure of imazamox, momordica and pycnogenol for fibroblast cell culture. (Figure 1).

According to our study pycnogenol high dose showned protective effect whereas momordica low dose showned protective effect p < 0.05. TAC and TOS: In current study pycnogenol increased TAC capacity in high dose but in lower dose pycnogenol did not show any promise (p < 0.05). Momordica results showed correlation with MTT result. According to this analyses momordica only in low dose increased antioxidant capacity and in addition, only in low dose TOS level were decreased (p > 0.05). (Figure 2).

4. Discussion

In conclusion momordica and pycnogenol effectively can be used in greenhouse worker toxicity. There is need to future study in laboratory animals to study chronic toxicity exposure of imazamox. In the present study, moderate necrotic and degenerative changes were detected in 250 µM imazamox reported that both technical grade imazamox [7] as well as an 11.83% formulation of this herbicide caused a slight erythema on the skin [8]. This data has correlation with our data fibroblast degeneration was seen in high dose of imazamox herbicide. In addition, our result show momordica and pycnogenol in possible toxicity can effectively protects skin cels and reduced oxidation status.