Cytoprotective effect of Artemisia capillaris fractions on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in V79 cells

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of Artemisia capillaris on the viability, antioxidant status, and cytoprotective against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide in V79 cells. Pretreatment with ethyl acetate fraction increased 363% cell viability compared to the positive control (PC). The ethyl acetate fraction of A. capillaris scavenged intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased the activities of cellular antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), and catalase (CAT), and also increased glutathione (GSH) content. It thereby prevented lipid peroxidation which was demonstrated by the inhibition of the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). Furthermore, ethyl acetate fraction reduced the apoptotic cells and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase induced by H2O2. These findings suggest that A. capillaris ethyl acetate fraction protected V79 cells against H2O2 damage, by enhancing the antioxidative activity.