Effect of fresh apple extract on glycated protein/iron chelate-induced toxicity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro

Consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with a low incidence of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. The present study was aimed at evaluating the protective effects of fresh apple extract (AE) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) exposed to cytotoxic glycated protein (GFBS)/iron (FeCl3) chelate. The experimental design comprised 10 groups with 5 flasks in each group. Group I was treated with 15% foetal bovine serum (FBS). Groups II, III and IV were treated with GFBS (70 µM), FBS + FeCl3 (20 µM), and GFBS + FeCl3, respectively. The other six groups were as follows: Group V, GFBS + AE (100 µg); Group VI, FBS + FeCl3 + AE (100 µg); Group VII, GFBS + FeCl3 + AE (100 µg); Group VIII, GFBS + AE (250 µg); Group IX, FBS + FeCl3 + AE (250 µg); and Group X, GFBS + FeCl3 + AE (250 µg). After 24 h incubation, cells were collected from all the experimental groups and assessed for lipid peroxidation (LPO) and activities of the antioxidant enzymes cytochrome c reductase and glutathio...