Lesphedeza bicolor Ameliorates Methylglyoxal‐induced Dysfunction in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells via Regulation of Oxidative Stress and Apoptotic Signaling Cascades

Reactive intermediates of glucose, especially methylglyoxal(MGO) can form advanced glycation products, which relate to the diabetic complications. Methylglyoxal is known to cause damage and induce apoptosis in endothelial cells. Endothelial cell apoptosis is implicated in the progression of diabetes complications and atherosclerosis. Lesphedeza bicolor (LB) has been used as a traditional folk medicine for the removal of various toxic materials, the replenishment of energy stores, and for the regulation of diabetes. The effects of LB on MGO‐induced apoptosis were confirmed by annexin V/FITC staining and western blot. Inhibition of LB on MGO‐induced ROS generation was measured using a JuLI live‐cell imaging system. The present study was conducted to investigate the antiglucotoxicity of the stalk of LB on MGO‐induced apoptosis in human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs). Pretreatment with LB significantly inhibited MGO‐induced cellular apoptosis and generation of intracellular ROS. LB prevented MGO‐induced apoptosis in HAoECs by increasing anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 expression and decreasing pro‐apoptotic Bax expression. Pretreatment with LB strongly inhibited the activation of all MAPK signals. Our study suggests that LB prevents apoptosis induced by MGO in HAoECs via inhibition of the oxidative stress and MAPK signaling pathways. In conclusion, LB may prove beneficial for the treatment of diabetic complications. Support or Funding Information This research was supported by iPET (Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (No.115045‐3)