Antioxidant Effects of Bidens Pilosa Extract Protect RAW 264.7 Cells from Cisplatin-induced Cytotoxicity

Bidens pilosa (BP) is a medicinal plant that exerts antioxidant and antiallergic effects and is used to treat various diseases. Cisplatin (CDDP) is used for a variety of malignancies, but its use is limited by its side effects. In this study, the effect of BP on reducing CDDP toxicity was examined using RAW264.7 cells, which are normal macrophages. RAW 264.7 cells were treated with BP and cytotoxicity and antioxidant capacities were measured. RAW 264.7 cells were treated with CDDP with and without BP. The expression of antioxidant-related genes was measured by RT-PCR, whereas apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed by flow cytometry. BP inhibited CDDP-induced cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells. Antioxidant gene expression was significantly increased in cells treated with BP and CDDP. BP reduced intracellular ROS as well as the percentage of apoptotic cells in RAW 264.7 cells treated with BP and CDDP. BP reduces CDDP-induced cytotoxicity; these effects are the result of the antioxidant activity of BP.