Effects and mechanisms of resveratrol on arsenic trioxide-induced cytotoxicity in H9c2 cells

Objective To investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of resveratrol on arsenic trioxide (As2O3) -induced cytotoxicity in H9c2 cells. Methods Cell viability assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, caspase-3 activity assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and cellular calcium levels were measured in H9c2 cells when cells single exposure to As2O3 and combinational treated with As2O3 and resveratrol. Results Pretreating H9c2 cells with resveratrol (40, 50, 90, 100 μg/ml) reduced the extensive cell death induced by As2O3(P 0.05). Treatment with resveratrol (100 μg/ml) had no effect on intracellular calcium concentration (P>0.05). Conclusions Resveratrol can ameliorate As2O3-induced cytotoxicity in H9c2 cells in vitro. Its mechanism probably related to reducing the ROS generation. Key words: Resveratrol; Arsenic trioxide; Cytotoxicity; Mechanisim