Methanol Extract Of Kang-Fu-Ling Attenuates High Power Microwave-Induced Oxidative Stress In Pc12 Cells Via The Nrf2/Are Pathway

Kang-fu-ling (KFL) is a polybotanical traditional Chinese medicine which exhibits activity against oxidative stress in protecting the high power microwave (HPM) injured rats. In this study, KFL was found significantly increased the protein level of Nrf2 in the nucleus of rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons. KFL consists of a six-ingredient comprehensive formulation, so we look for the essential component for its function. We selected the aqueous (KFL-A) and methanol (KFL-M) extract as the candidate for antioxidant defense evaluation, and both of them showed strong free radical scavenging activity and non-toxicity. However, only the KFL-M treatment significantly suppressed the production of malondialdehyde and intracellular ROS even under the HPM exposure. The molecular mechanism investigation showed that the pre-incubation of cells with KFL-M before HPM exposure increased the protein level of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in nucleus and the mRNA expression of target genes, such as HO-1, GST-mu3 and NQO1. The protective effect of KFL-M could provide a promising approach for the treatment of HPM injury.