Agarwood Tea Leaves: Uncovering the Antioxidant Phytochemicals and Their Protective Role Against Hepatocyte Oxidative
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2025.11129Keywords:
Agarwood tea leaves, HepG2, Reactive oxygen species, CytoprotectiveAbstract
Liver cells play a key role in metabolizing nutrients, drugs, and foreign substances, during which reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated. Excess ROS can lead to oxidative stress, contributing to liver diseases. Thus, controlling ROS is important for liver cell protection. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and antioxidant potential of Aquilaria subintegra (agarwood) leaves extract and its protective effects against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Phytochemical profiling was performed using LC-MS/MS QTOF. HepG2 cells were pre-treated with non-toxic concentrations of the extract for 24 h, followed by exposure to H2O2. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. Intracellular ROS was measured using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCF), while antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), were determined using commercial kits. The results of the study showed that the phytochemicals found in the leaves of A. subintegra are diverse. It is mainly a substance in the group of flavonoids, benzopyrans, and organooxygen. The major antioxidants classified include quercetin 3-galactoside, mangiferin, isoorientin 6''-O-glucoside, vitexin 4'-O-galactoside, quinic acid, ganoderic acids and biochanin A. Agarwood tea leaves extract showed an effect in preventing H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells at concentrations ranging from 1.95 to 15.63 μg/mL, with a significant reduction in ROS levels at concentrations ranging from 1.95 to 7.81 μg/mL compared to the control group. The extract did not influence the activity of SOD and CAT enzymes; however, it significantly enhanced the activity of GPx enzyme within the concentration range of 7.81 to 62.50 μg/mL. In conclusion, the results of the study suggest that agarwood tea leaves extract may have an antioxidative effect on liver cells. This may be due to the presence of high amounts of antioxidants, which may be a promising strategy for mitigating oxidative damage in liver-related diseases.
HIGHLIGHTS
- subintegra leaves extract demonstrates powerful antioxidant potential, effectively protecting liver cells from oxidative injury induced by hydrogen peroxide.
- Comprehensive LC-MS/MS QTOF analysis identified a unique phytochemical fingerprint, rich in flavonoids, benzopyrans, and organooxygen compounds with known bioactivities.
- The extract selectively enhances GPx activity, suggesting a targeted cellular defense mechanism without disrupting other major antioxidant enzymes.
- Significant ROS scavenging effects were observed at low micromolar concentrations, highlighting its potency and therapeutic relevance in oxidative stress models.
- This study provides novel mechanistic insight into the hepatoprotective action of agarwood tea leaves, opening new avenues for natural antioxidant-based liver therapies.
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