Identification of a Sesquiterpene Lactone from Arctium lappa Leaves with Antioxidant Activity in Primary Human Muscle Cells

Many pathologies affecting muscles (muscular dystrophies, sarcopenia, cachexia, renal insufficiency, obesity, diabetes type 2, etc.) are now clearly linked to mechanisms involving oxidative stress. In this context, there is a growing interest in exploring plants find new natural antioxidants prevent the appearance and development of these muscle disorders. study, we investigated antioxidant properties Arctium lappa leaves model primary human cells exposed H2O2 We identified using bioassay-guided purification, onopordopicrin, sesquiterpene lactone as main molecule responsible for activity A. leaf extract. According our findings, onopordopicrin inhibited H2O2-mediated loss cell viability, by limiting production free radicals abolishing DNA cellular damages. Moreover, showed that promoted expression nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) downstream target protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) cells. By siRNA, demonstrated inhibition Nrf2 reduced protective effect indicating activation Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway mediates Therefore, results suggest may be potential therapeutic fight against stress pathological specific