Arctigenin attenuates paraquat-induced human lung epithelial A549 cell injury by suppressing ROS/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases-mediated apoptosis

Chao Liu, Zhao-rui Sun, Meng-meng Wang, Zhi-zhou Yang, Wei Zhang, Yi Ren, Xiao-qin Han, Rui Liu, Quan Li, Shi-nan Nie

Figure 2. Arctigenin alleviated paraquat (PQ)-induced A549 cell apoptosis. A: representative images and statistical results of TUNEL staining showing arctigenin reduced A549 cell apoptosis induced by PQ (n=5, *P<0.05 vs. control; #P<0.05 vs. PQ; scale bar=50 μm). B: representative pictures and statistical results indicating arctigenin alleviated PQ-induced mitochondrial membrane potential loss in A549 cells. JC-1 exhibited potential-dependent accumulation in healthy mitochondria where it formed J aggregates (red) while it remained as monomer (green) upon mitochondrial depolarization. The ratio of red/green fluorescence of JC-1 dramatically decreased in PQ-treated A549 cells, which was relieved by arctigenin co-administration (n=5, *P<0.05 vs. control; #P<0.05 vs. PQ; scale bar=50 μm).