Arjunolic acid, a triterpenoid saponin, ameliorates arsenic-induced cyto-toxicity in hepatocytes

Arsenic is a well-established environmental toxin, which damages various organs of the body. A triterpenoid saponin, arjunolic acid (AA) has been isolated from the bark of Terminalia arjuna. The present study was conducted to investigate the preventive role of AA against arsenic-induced cytotoxicity in isolated murine hepatocytes. Sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) was chosen as the source of arsenic. Incubation of the hepatocytes with NaAsO2 (1mM) for 2h caused reduction in the cell viability and activities of the intracellular enzymatic as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants. Treatment of NaASO(2) enhanced lipid peroxidation and also increased the activities of the membrane leakage enzymes. Administration of AA (100 mu g/ml) before and with the toxin almost normalized the altered activities of antioxidant indices. AA possesses free radical scavenging activity and could enhance the cellular anti-oxidant capability against NaAsO2-induced cyto-toxicity. The cytoprotective activity of AA was found to be comparable to that of a known antioxidant, vitamin C. Experimental results, therefore, suggest that AA protects arsenic-induced cytotoxicity in murine hepatocytes. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.