ASK-1 Expression Down-regulated in Preeclamptic Placental Explants Incubated with Mint-Tea

Abstract

Apoptosis, the programmed cell death, is an essential feature of normal placental development but is exaggerated in association with placental disease. Preeclampsia is associated with an increase in placental apoptosis and differential expression of mediators of apoptosis. Since treatment of the disease like preeclampsia with modem medicine is often associated with serious maternal and foetal side-effects, a search for natural drug that would eventually reduce the placental cell damage in preeclampsia will be beneficial. The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the apoptosis mediated protein ASK-1 with modulating oxidant-antioxidant status during preeclampsia using mint-tea infusion. The possible positive effects of mint-tea administration in modulating oxidant-antioxidant status and the expression of ASK-1, using preeclamptic placental explants in in-vitro condition were assessed using spectrophotometry and ELISA method, respectively. The study suggests that mint tea mediates an increase the level of CAT and decreases the level of LHP and expression ASK-1 in preeclamptic placental explant. Therefore, we speculate that the mint-tea mediated explant survival is through the control of ASK-1 expression. Thus, mint-tea extracts with natural medical properties can be recommended as an alternative herbal remedy for preeclamptic pregnancy to reduce oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis and enhance live foetal delivery.