Dendrobium nobile protects retinal cells from UV-induced oxidative stress damage via Nrf2/HO-1 and MAPK pathways.

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Excessive UV irradiation and ROS exposure are the main contributors of ocular pathologies. Pseudobulb of Dendrobium nobile Lindl. is one of the sources of Shihu and has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic to nourish stomach, replenish body fluid, antipyretic and anti-inflammation. Aim of study This study aimed to investigate whether D. nobile could protect ocular cells against oxidative stress damage. Materials and methods Retinal-related cell lines, ARPE-19 and RGC-5 cells, were pretreated with D. nobile extracts before H2O2- and UV-treatment. Cell viability and the oxidative stress were monitored by sulforhodamine B (SRB) and SOD1 and CAT assay kits, respectively. The oxidative stress related proteins were measured by Western blotting. Results Under activity-guided fractionation, a sesquiterpene-enriched fraction (DN-2) and a major component (1) could ameliorate H2O2- and UV-induced cytotoxicity and SOD1 and CAT activity, but not dendrobine, the chemical marker of D. nobile. Western blotting showed both DN-2 and compound 1 protected ARPE-19 cells against UV-induced oxidative stress damage by regulating MAPK and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. Conclusion Our results suggest D. nobile extract protects retinal pigment epithelia cells from UV- and oxidative stress-damage, which may have a beneficial effect on eye diseases.