Syzygium cumini reduces oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinase-2 level in endothelial cells induced by plasma from preeclamptic patients -

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether an ethanolic extract of Syzygium cumini is able to decrease lipid peroxidation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 expression in endothelial cells exposed to plasma from preeclamptic patients. Methods: Endothelial cells were obtained from human umbilical vascular endothelial cells. At confluency, endothelial cells were divided into five groups, which included control (untreated), endothelial cells exposed to 2% plasma from preeclamptic patients (PP), endothelial cells exposed to PP in the presence of ethanolic extract of S.cumini (PP+SC) at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 ppm. Analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA) level as a marker of lipid peroxidation was done colorimetrically. Analysis of MMP-2 level was done by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technically. Results: This increase in MDA was significantly attenuated by both the 200 and 400 ppm treatments of S.cumini extract. Plasma from PP significantly increased MMP-2 levels compared to untreated cells. This increase in MMP-2 was significantly attenuated by the 200 and 400 ppm doses of the extract. Conclusion: In conclusion, Syzygium cumini extract prohibits the increase in oxidative stress and MMP-2 in endothelial cells induced by plasma from preeclamptic patients. Therefore this may provide a natural therapy for attenuating the maternal endothelial dysfunction found in this disease.