Protective effect of betanin on cadmium-induced toxicity in MRC-5 cells

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental polluter and toxic heavy metal which is carcinogenic for humans. The exposure of humans to Cd is through ingestion and inhalation. Betanin is a betalain component in the root of red beets and it has strong anti-oxidant, anti-apoptosis, and anti-inflammatory properties. In the current article, the protective effect of betanin on Cd-induced toxicity was evaluated in MRC-5 cells (human fetal lung fibroblasts). The MRC-5 cells were co-treated to different concentrations of betanin (1.25, 2.5, and 5 μM) and Cd (35 µM) for 24 hours. The cell viability, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis were determined by MTT, fluorimetry, flow cytometric, and western blot methods, respectively. According to the results, Cd declined cell viability and increased ROS production, DNA fragmentation, and apoptosis in MRC-5 cells, So Cd-induced toxicity in MRC-5 cells. The co-treatment of Cd and betanin (1.25, 2.5, and 5 μM, for 24 hours) significantly declined its cytotoxicity. So, betanin enhanced cell viability and declined ROS generation, DNA fragmentation, and apoptosis (caspase 3-cleaved, cleaved PARP) in MRC-5 cells. The treatment of MRC-5 cells with betanin can decline Cd-induced toxicity via the anti-oxidant and anti-apoptosis effects of it.