Protective effect of fucosterol isolated from the edible brown algae, Ecklonia stolonifera and Eisenia bicyclis, on tert-butyl hydroperoxide- and tacrine-induced HepG2 cell injury

ObjectivesFucosterol is the primary sterol found in brown algae. Recently, considerable interest has been generated regarding fucosterol due to its potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of fucosterol on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)- and tacrine-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. MethodsFucosterol by itself exhibited no cytotoxicity at concentrations below 100m by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. The increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased glutathione levels observed in t-BHP- and tacrine-treated HepG2 cells were ameliorated by fucosterol pretreatment, indicating that the protective effects of fucosterol are mediated by the induction of cellular defence mechanisms against oxidative stress. Moreover, elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in tacrine-treated mice were significantly reduced after oral administration of fucosterol. Key findingsThe hepatoprotective effects of fucosterol may occur via an increase in the hepatic level of glutathione and a decrease in ROS production, thereby preventing hepatic damage and the resultant increases in ALT and AST activity. ConclusionThese results suggest that fucosterol may be an effective hepatoprotective agent that could be useful for preventive therapies against oxidative stress-related hepatotoxicity.