Journal of Environmental Biology

Role of berberine against arsenic induced oxidative damage in

isolated rat liver mitochondria 

Mohammad Javad Khodayar^1,3, Mansoureh Javadipour¹, Elham Keshtzar¹ and Mohsen Rezaei^1,2*

¹Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz-6135733184, Iran

²Department of Toxicology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran-1411713116, Iran

³Medicinal Plant Research Center, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz- 6135733184, Iran

*Corresponding Author E-mail: rezaei.mohsen@gmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

08 May 2015

Revised received:

02 September 2015

Re-revised received:

20 September 2015

Accepted:

08 October 2015

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the protective role of berberine against toxicity induced by arsenic in mitochondria from liver of rat. The level of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential changes were evaluated spectrofluorometrically. 20, 40 and 100 μM arsenic concentration increased ROS level approximately by 13.5, 21.3 and 29 %. However, when pretreated mitochondria with berberine (10, 25, 50 ?M) were exposed to arsenic (20, 40 and 100 ?M), ROS production diminished. Also, for all arsenic concentration mitochondrial membrane damage was detected to be 2.5, 4.8 and 7.26 % respectively. Pretreatment with berberine even at highest concentration (50μM) was not able to retain membrane potential as compared to control. These results showed that mitochondria were significantly affected when exposed to arsenic, forcedly directed toward excess ROS production and mitochondrial membrane disruption. Pretreatment with berberine, reduced ROS generation but did not restore mitochondrial membrane integrity.? ??????  

 Key words

Arsenic toxicity, Berberine, Mitochondria, Reactive Oxygen Species 

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