Cytoprotective Effects of Arbutin Against Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxid Induced Toxicity in Hep-G2 Cell Line

Arbutin has antioxidative properties with potential benefits in many diseases. In this study, the cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of arbutin against t-BPH induced oxidative stress in Hep G2 cells were evaluated. HepG2 cells were cultured in 24-well plates (2.5×10 cells in 1 ml RPMI-1640 + 10% FBS+1% Pen. 5 Strep). Arbutin at different concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150 μM) were added into the wells. After 24 h exposure to arbutin, t-BHP at different concentrations (0, 100, 150, 200 and 250 μM) were added. Viability was measured (t = 72 h) using MTT assay and TB test. Furthermore, the antioxidant effect of arbutin was evaluated by FRAP assay. Arbutin significantly increased the total antioxidative power and antagonized the t-BHP oxidative effects. The cytotoxicity of t-BHP was significantly reduced by arbutin pretreatment. In the TB test and MTT assay, there was a significant difference between cell viability of group containing arbutin and t-BHP with group containing only t-BHP in a dose-dependent manner. Arbutin increased the total antioxidative power and it had cytoprotective effect. Increasing of cell viability might be an explanation to these effects.