Baicalein can be a great antioxidant, but it can impair mitochondrial bioener- getics and cause cytotoxicity at high concentrations
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: Flavonoids, which originate from the secondary metabolism of plants, present antioxidant activities and so their use could be beneficial. However, flavonoids display toxicity in vitro. To evaluate the antioxidant potential of the flavonoid baicalein and its possible effect on mitochondrial bioenergetics and cytotoxicity, we have investigated how this compounds acts on isolated rat liver mitochondria and HepG2 cells using concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 μM. We examined how baicalein interacts with the mitochondrial membrane and how it affects mitochondrial oxygen consumption, membrane potential, calcium release, swelling, and ATP levels, to find out whether this compound can interfere with the organelle bioenergetics. We verified whether this flavonoid prevents the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation; we also assessed its free radical scavenging potential. Finally, we performed proliferation and viability tests with HepG2 cells to examine baicalein cytotoxicity. Baicalein displayed mitochondrial toxicity and affected mitochondrial bioenergetics. These effects occurred at concentrations greater than or equal to 25 μM, resulting in ATP depletion. Baicalein also induced cytotoxicity to HepG2 cells. On the other hand, as expected, baicalein pretected cells against free radicals. In conclusion, although baicalein presents excellent antioxidant capacity, it causes mitochondrial damage at high concentrations, which could trigger cell death. Corresponding author: Murilo Pazin Fone: +55-16-36020472; Fax: +55 16 36020472; E-mail: [email protected]
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2184384077