Abstract
Stress can initiate by many factors incorporated in the daily life such as long-term health issues, immune system suppression and obesity. Free radicals as well as endogenous antioxidants are in balance as part of body's natural functioning. Oxidative stress occurs when endogenous defence system not capable to maintain the balance, therefore natural antioxidant was in-need to help the endogenous antioxidant in scavenging the excess of free radicals. Punicalagin is a natural antioxidant compound that extracted from pomegranate husk. Punicalagin affect the activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes which was investigated by measuring the level of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase and reductase of Caco-2 cells under stress conditions. Caco-2 cells were exposed to 3 mMtert-butyl hydroperoxide (T-BOOH) for 2 hours to initiate oxidative stress when pretreated with 5 and 10 mu M punicalagin for 24 hours. Both doses (5 mu M and 10 mu M) of punicalagin significantly elevated the level of catalase (15.05 U/ml; p <0.05 and 20.95 U/ml; p < 0.001, respectively) compared to cells treated with only T-BOOH (11.79). On the other hand, punicalagin had no effect SOD, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. In conclusion, under stress conditions punicalagin significantly enhanced endogenous antioxidant enzymes of Caco-2 cells.