Evaluation of the antioxidant effects and potential antiatherogenic properties of monoterpenes

CASTRO MA; GALLE M; MONTERO VILLEGAS S; GARCÍA DE BRAVO M; POLO MP

Mar del Plata

Congreso; LI Reunión Anual de SAIB; 2015

SAIB

Abstract. Monoterpenes (MTs) present in essential oils of citric fruits and aromatic plants exert an antioxidant effect that could diminish the cellular oxidative stress and prevent plasma LDL oxidation thus reducing atherogenic risk. D-limonene (L) is one of the most frequent MTs in nature and the majority constituent of mandarin (Citrus reticulata) essential oil (MEO). Our objective was to study the impact of L and MEO on the redox balance in tumor (A549) and normal (rat cardiomyocytes) cell cultures, and to analyze its capacity to prevent human plasma LDL oxidation. The effect of L and MEO (10-250 µl/L) on lipid peroxidation in A549 and LDL was evaluated (in presence or absence of CuSO4) through the colorimetric quantification of TBARS. Also it was determined the activities of dismutase superoxide, catalase, and glutathione S- transferase. In cardiomyocytes treated with L (2-647 µl/L) incubated in conditions of normoxia, and hypoxia and reoxygenation, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined through fluorescence. Cell viability was evaluated by the MTT assay. It was demonstrated that L and MEO have an antioxidant effect because lipid peroxidation and ROS levels diminish and the activity of antioxidant enzymes increases. Our results show that MTs induce mechanisms that contribute to minimize oxidative processes associated to pathogenesis of several diseases such as atherosclerosis.