EFFECT OF MINT-TEA ON HSP MEDIATED SURVIVAL MECHANISM IN PREECLAMPTIC ENDOTHELIAL CELL
Worldwide, preeclampsia and eclampsia are estimated to be responsible for approximately 14% of maternal deaths per year. The importance of nutrient balance in pregnant women with or without complication is increasingly being recognized as antioxidant defenses appear to be depleted during preeclampsia due to oxidative stress. Various alternative medicines are employed to increase the endogenous antioxidant level. The aim of the current study was to monitor the possible positive effect of mint-tea administration in controlling and preventing the oxidative stress in preeclampsia. The level of oxidative stress, antioxidant status, expression pattern of HSP70, HSP90 and key signaling molecules were analyzed in preeclamptic endothelial cell before and after incubation with mint-tea extracts. A significant increase in the antioxidant status with significant decrease in oxidative stress was noted after incubation with mint-tea in both normotensive and preeclamptic endothelial cells. Similarly there was a significant decrease in expression of HSP70, ASK1 and JNK2, significant increase in TRX while there was no significant change in the JNK1. Our study results suggest the protective effect of mint-tea extracts against oxidative stress. Mint-tea extracts can be recommended as an alternative herbal remedy for preeclamptic pregnancy to reduce oxidative stress.