Atractylenolide inhibits apoptosis and oxidative stress of HTR-8/SVneo cells by activating MAPK/ERK signalling in preeclampsia

BackgroundPreeclampsia (PE) is a severe hypertension-related disorder occurring during pregnancy that leads to significant mortality and morbidity in both the foetus and mother. Atractylenolide (ATL), a traditional Chinese natural agent isolated from the herb Atractylodes macrocephala, exhibits a series of pharmacological activities, including anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects.PurposeThe impacts of ATL on apoptosis and oxidative stress in HTR-8/SVneo cells during PE development was investigated.Study designWe identified ATL by an overlap analysis of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) database using the keyword ‘gestational hypertension’ and Traditional Chinese Medicine (Batman-TCM) database using the keyword ‘Atractylodes macrocephala’.MethodsCell viability, proliferation, and migration were detected by CCK-8, EdU, and transwell assays. Flow cytometry and 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate were used to assess apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.ResultsEdU and CCK-8 assays demonstrated that ATL significantly enhanced the viability of HTR-8/SVneo cells. Transwell assays showed that ATL remarkably induced the migration of HTR-8/SVneo cells. Moreover, ROS production in HTR-8/SVneo cells was induced by H₂O₂, whilst ATL alleviated this H₂O₂-induced ROS production and apoptosis in cells.ConclusionATL attenuated apoptosis and oxidative stress in HTR-8/SVneo cells in PE by activating the MAPK/ERK signalling pathway. ATL has potential to be utilized as a potential therapeutic candidate for PE.