Eupatilin inhibits H2O2-induced apoptotic cell death through inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-κB

Eupatilin (5,7-dihydroxy-3',4',6-trimethoxyflavone), an extract from Artemisia asiatica Nakai, is a flavonoicl of pharmacologically active ingredients. Eupatilin is known to possess anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative activity. Recently, eupatilin has been reported to be effective in producing gastric mucosal as an anti-gastritis agents. However, the mechanism of protective action is Still Unknown. We studied cytoprotective actions of eupatilin on H2O2-induced cell death and its possible mechanisms of action in human gastric (AGS) cells. Eupatilin dose-dependently inhibited H2O2-induced apoptosis as indicated by co-staining with Annexin V and propidium iodide. Hydrogen peroxide provoked phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase UNK), and activation of nuclear faclor-kappa B (NF-kappa B). On the contrary, eupatilin decreased H2O2-induced activation of ERK, JNK and NF-kappa B. In addition, treatment of specific inhibitors for ERK, JNK, and NF-kappa B attenuated H(2)O(2-)induced apoptosis. Co-treatment of inhibitors and eupatilin was more effective in decreasing H2O2-induced apoptosis. Taken together, we suggest that eupatilin inhibits H2O2-incluced apoptosis through the inhibition ERK,JNK, and NF-kappa B. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.