An aqueous extract of Octopus ocellatus meat protects hepatocytes against H2O2-induced oxidative stress via the regulation of Bcl-2/Bax signaling

Abstract

Octopus ocellatus meat (OM) is well known as a plentiful protein source. In this study, we evaluated the hepatoprotective effect of an aqueous extract of OM (OMA) against H2O2-triggered oxidative stress in human hepatocytes. First of all, taurine rich OMA showed a good ORAC value and reducing power and it was similar with that of ascorbic acid, which is known as a strong antioxidant. Also, OMA significantly improved H2O2-decreased cell viability by reducing the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hepatocytes. Interestingly, the stimulation of H2O2-induced the formations of apoptotic bodies and sub-G1 DNA content, whereas they were inhibited by the treatment with OMA. Furthermore, OMA regulated the protein expression levels of apoptotic molecules, such as Bax and Bcl-2. Taken together, this study suggests that OMA, which contains an abundant amount of taurine, protects hepatocytes from H2O2-triggered oxidative stress and might be a functional food material with hepatoprotective effects.