Protocatechualdehyde prevents methylglyoxal-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and AGEs-RAGE axis activation in human lens epithelial cells.

Methylglyoxal (MGO), a glucose derived dicarbonyl intermediate, is a major precursor of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which have been linked to the development of diabetic cataract. Protocatechualdehyde (PCA), a phenolic acid compound, is found in the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza. This study was to investigate the effect of PCA against MGO-induced cytotoxicity in human lens epithelial cells (SRA01/04 cells) and the possible involved molecular mechanism. The results showed that PCA alleviated MGO-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in SRA01/04 cells. Furthermore, PCA was capable of inhibiting MGO-mediated AGEs formation and blocking receptor of AGEs expression in SRA01/04 cells. It is concluded that PCA could be useful in attenuation of MGO-induced cell damage and the possible mechanism is involved in modulating AGEs-receptor of AGEs axis in human lens epithelial cells, which suggests that PCA has a potential protective effect on diabetic cataract.