Ellagic acid modulates Na+, H+ exchanger activity, Na+, K+ ATPases, and Ca2+ ATPases membrane transporters in tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress during aging in humans

Abstract

Abstract Ellagic acid (EA), a dimer of gallic acid is mainly present in pomegranates and berries possessing health-promoting benefits via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We have evaluated the in vitro activity of EA on Na+, H+ exchanger (NHE), Na+, K+ ATPases, and Ca2+ ATPases activity in the control and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative stress in erythrocytes of human subjects of both the sexes (n = 92). The young age group comprised human subjects between 18–35 years (n = 37), the middle group comprised human subjects between 36–60 years (n = 30), and the old group comprised subjects above 60 years of age (n = 25) age groups. We observe that with respect to their respective controls, the NHE activity increases in young, middle, and old age groups. Inducing stress via t-BHP increases the activity of NHE in all the age groups significantly (p < 0.001) with their respective control. EA administration further decreases NHE activity. Erythrocyte membrane Na+, K+ ATPase, and Ca2+ ATPase activity decreased significantly (p < 0.001) in middle and old human subjects as compared to the younger ones in the control samples. A significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the activity of Na+, K+ ATPase, and Ca2+ ATPase in t-BHP induced erythrocytes membrane was observed as compared to their respective control in all the age groups. Upon treatment of these erythrocyte membranes with EA increases the activity of membrane-bound enzymes significantly. The study provides insight into the protective health benefits of EA by the modulation of membrane transporters.