Protection of oxidative stress induced apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells by dihydromyricetin through down-regulation of caspase activation and up-regulation of BcL-2

Current study was aimed to investigate the effect of dihydromyricetin on hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress in the osteosarcoma cells. MTT assay showed that hydrogen peroxide treatment at a concentration of 100 μM caused a significant (p < 0.005) reduction in the viability of MG63 cells. However, reduction in cell viability caused by 100 μM concentration of hydrogen peroxide was completely prevented on incubation with 30 μM dose of dihydromyricetin. Treatment with 100 μM concentration of hydrogen peroxide for 24 h led to condensation of chromatin material, rounding of cell shape and detachment of cells. The results from flow cytometry using annexin V-FITC and PI double staining showed apoptosis induction in 47.84 ± 5.21% cells on treatment with 100 μM concentration of hydrogen peroxide compared to 2.32 ± 0.54% in controlcells. The apoptotic alterations in MG63 cell morphology were prevented significantly on pre-treatment with 30 μM doses of dihydromyricetin for 48 h. Annexin V-FITC and PI staining showed reduction of hydrogen peroxide induced apoptotic cell percentage to 3.07 ± 0.86% on pre-treatment of MG63 cells with 30 μM dose of dihydromyricetin. Western blot analysis showed a significant increase in the activation of caspase-3 and -9 on treatment of MG63 cells for 24 h with 100 μM concentration of hydrogen peroxide. The expression level of Bcl-2 was decreased significantly by 100 μM concentration of hydrogen peroxide in MG63 cells. However, pre-treatment of MG63 cells with 30 μM dose of dihydromyricetin for 48 h significantly prevented hydrogen peroxide induced increase in caspase-3 and -9 levels and reduction in Bcl-2 level. Thus dihydromyricetin prevents hydrogen peroxide induced reduction in viability and induction of apoptosis in MG63 cells through down-regulation of caspase activation and up-regulation of Bcl-2 levels.