Protective effect of crocetin against cytoskeletal injury induced by acrolein from cigarette smoke extract in C2C12 myoblasts

Tobacco smoke contains many toxic chemicals, such as highly unstable free radicals, reactive oxygen species, and carbonyl compounds such as acrolein. Crocetin, a natural carotenoid found in plants, has various biological properties, including antioxidant activity. In this study, we investigated the effect of crocetin on muscular injury induced by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and acrolein using murine myoblast C2C12 cells as an in-vitro model. Exposure to CSE or acrolein decreased cell viability and increased cell death. Disorganized actin filaments and deactivation of the ROCK2/LIM kinase-1/cofilin signaling pathway were seen in C2C12 cells exposed to them. Moreover, CSE and acrolein inhibited the formation of multinucleated myotubes. These defects were restored by treatment with 10 & mu;M of crocetin. These findings suggest that daily intake of crocetin from foods may protect skeletal muscles from environmental oxidants such as cigarette smoke.

Automated summary

In this study, the researchers investigated the effect of crocetin on muscular injury induced by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and acrolein. They found that crocetin could restore the damaged muscle cell morphology and function, suggesting that daily intake of crocetin may help protect muscles from environmental oxidants such as cigarette smoke.