The cytoprotective effects of bioflavonoids against oxidative stress during trophoblast cell invasion

Background: The fate of human pregnancy lies in the successful invasion of trophoblast cells, and shallow trophoblast invasion is usually linked with increased oxidative stress (OS). Therefore several researchers are searching for anti-oxidant compounds/drugs that might render protective effect against OS. Quercetin and its isomer morin hydrate are dietary bioflavonoids with antioxidant and chelating properties. Since these two bioflavonoids are naturally found in fruits and vegetables, it would be appropriate to study the cytoprotective effects of these bioflavonoids on trophoblast cells.Objectives:Using first trimester extravillous trophoblast cell lines (HTR8sv/neo and TEV-1), this study aimed to investigate the protective effects these compounds during trophoblast cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, under normoxic and hypoxic (OS) treatments.Methods:The optimum quercetin and morin concentrations (with minimal cytotoxicity) were determined by MTT and celltox green assays. This was followed by migration (wound-healing) and invasion assays (using BD Biocoat invasion kit) to study the protective effects of these compounds under OS insult. OS was achieved by 2hrs hypoxia (0.2% Oxygen) followed by 6hrs re-oxygenationResults:Both compounds at 1μM and 3μM concentrations quercetin as well as morin were found to be not toxic to the trophoblast cells. Moreover, at 3μM showed protective effects (MTT assay) when trophoblast cells were exposed to OS prior to 24hrs pre-treatment. Moreover the migration and invasion of both trophoblast cell lines were significantly reduced (pu003c0.05) with OS insult. Interestingly, compared to untreated OS controls, treatment with low levels of (1μM and 3μM) quercetin and morin increased the cell migration and invasion to almost the levels of normoxic condition (pu003c0.05).Conclusions:The data from this study suggests both quercetin and morin have the ability to protect the trophoblast cells against oxidative insult.