Antioxidant effect of Woogyuyeum against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in Leydig cells

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of water extract of Woogyuyeum (WGY) in Leydig cells. Methods : We investigated the cytoprotective effect of WGY in cultured mouse Leydig cells by MTT assay. Leydig cells treated with WGY were incubated in the presence or absence of 50 μM hydrogen peroxide at 37℃ for 24 h. The protective effects of WGY against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress, lipid peroxide (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase activity assays were performed in Leydig cells. Results : As a result, WGY showed no significant cytotoxicity in Leygdig cells. WGY showed cell viability as 103.65% in 5 μg/ml concentrations. The cytotoxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide in Leygdig cells, the antioxidant effects of WGY was increased in 1, 5, 50, 100 ug/ml concentraions. 100 μg/ml concentration of WGY showed maximum antioxidant effects. Treatment of cells with 100 μg/ml WGY significantly reduced the MDA concentration to 0.23 nmoles/mg protein. SOD activity was increased at 1, 100 μg/ml concentration of WGY and catalase activity was significantly increased at 50, 100 μg/ml concentrations of WGY, respectively. Conclusions : In conclusion, WGY has antioxidant activities against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in Leydig cells.