Effect of Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) extract on atorvastatin-induced toxicity in C3A liver cells.
Danielle A MillarSandra BowlesShantal Lynn WindvogelJohan LouwChristo John Frederick MullerPublished in: Journal of cellular physiology (2020)
Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) has various health benefits. Two case studies have associated chronic Rooibos consumption with conventional prescription medications, including atorvastatin (ATV), with hepatotoxicity. Statins act by inhibiting hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. Although rare, statins are potentially hepatotoxic. The aim was to investigate interactions between aspalathin-rich Rooibos extract GRT™ and ATV-induced hepatotoxicity in C3A liver cells cultured with and without palmitate. Effects of co-treatment of GRT + ATV on cell viability, oxidative stress, apoptosis, mitochondrial integrity, and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were assessed. Significantly increased ROS production was observed in cells exposed to ATV and palmitate. Combination therapy of GRT + ATV also showed significant increases in ROS production. Under palmitate-treated conditions, ATV-induced significant apoptosis which was not ameliorated by GRT + ATV co-treatment. Despite studies purporting hepatoprotection from Rooibos, our study showed that GRT was unable to modulate ATV-induced hepatotoxic effects in this model.
Keyphrases
- oxidative stress
- diabetic rats
- induced apoptosis
- cell cycle arrest
- cell death
- reactive oxygen species
- combination therapy
- high glucose
- drug induced
- dna damage
- endoplasmic reticulum stress
- healthcare
- endothelial cells
- cardiovascular disease
- signaling pathway
- mental health
- public health
- type diabetes
- pi k akt
- cell proliferation
- health information
- heat shock