Abstract: This research was designed to explore the protective effect of Chinese red jujube pigment (CRJP) on human vascular endothelial cell injury induced by oxidative hydrogen in vitro. For this purpose, human vascular endothelial cells were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into 6 groups: control group, oxidative hydrogen injury group, CRJP low-,medium- and high-dose groups (50, 150, 250 mg/L), and positive control group (50 μmol/L VE). Cellular morphology, proliferation viability, LDH activity, apoptosis rate, mitochondrial membrane potential and ultrastructure of all groups were determined by inverted microscope, MTT assay, kit assay, flow cytometry and transmission electron microscope, respectively. The results showed that CRJP treatment at various doses had a protective effect on vascular endothelial cell injury induced by oxidative hydrogen. Cellular morphology and ultrastructure of the CRJP intervention groups were improved obviously along with a significant decrease in proliferation inhibition rate, LDH activity and apoptosis rate and a significant increase in mitochondrial membrane potential (P < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that Chinese red jujube pigment has a protective effect on human vascular endothelial cell injury induced by oxidative hydrogen in vitro and the underlying mechanism may be related to its antioxidant capacity, and its ability to inhibit apoptosis and maintain mitochondrial membrane potential.

Key words: Chinese red jujube pigment, vascular endothelial cells, oxidative hydrogen, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential