Title:Enhanced Antioxidant and Protective Activities on Retinal Ganglion Cells of Carotenoids-Overexpressing Transgenic Carrot
Volume: 14
Issue: 9
Author(s): Kee Dong Yoon, Suk-Nam Kang, Ji-Yeong Bae, Haeng-Soon Lee, Sang-Soo Kwak, Insurk Jang, Il-Suk Kim, Cheol Ho Lee, Jung Myung Bae, Shin Woo Lee and Mi-Jeong Ahn
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Carotenoids, transgenic carrot, antioxidant activity, RGC-5 cells.
Abstract: Carotenoids are considered to act as antioxidants and protect humans from serious disorders such as skin degeneration
and ageing, cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and age-related diseases of the eye. In this study,
these chemopreventive activities of a carotenoids-overexpressing transgenic carrot were evaluated. The results of DPPH,
hydroxyl, and superoxide radical scavenging tests demonstrate that the acetone extract obtained from the taproots of the
carrot plants exhibits significant antioxidant activity. A higher activity was detected in the transgenic carrot extract compared
with the wild-type extract. A chemopreventive activity test for degenerative diseases of the eye revealed that pretreatment
with the carrot extract reduced cell death in a retinal ganglion cell line, RGC-5 cells exposed to 1-buthionine-
(R,S)-sulfoximine and L-glutamic acid.
