Morton lentil extract attenuated angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy via inhibition of intracellular reactive oxygen species levels in vitro.

The objective was to investigate whether a lentil (Morton) extract had any protective effect on cardiac hypertrophy, which is one of the most significant sequelae of cardiovascular diseases. High phenolic compounds (43.4 mg of GAE/g), including thirteen phenolic acid and two flavonoids, were detected in the acetone/water/acetic acid lentil extract. The extract showed strong antioxidant ability (105 μmol of TE/g). The effect of lentil extract on angiotensin (Ang) II-induced cardiac hypertrophy was examined. Results showed that pretreatment with lentil extract (25, 50, 100 μg/mL) significantly attenuated Ang II (0.1 μM)-induced hypertrophy by 18, 28, and 36% in rat cardiomycytes, respectively; lentil extract (12.5, 25, 50 μg/mL) attenuated Ang II (0.1 μM)-induced hypertrophy by 9, 17, and 25% in human cardiomycytes, respectively. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were enhanced by Ang II treatment, and this stimulatory action was significantly attenuated (33% inhibition) by lentil extract (100 μg/mL) in rat cardiomyocytes and attenuated by 22% by 50 μg/mL lentil extract in human cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, Morton lentil extracts attenuated Ang II-induced rat and human cardiomyocytes hypertrophy via decreasing intracellular ROS levels.