3, 4-Dihydroxybenzaldehyde derived from Prunus mume seed inhibits oxidative stress and enhances estradiol secretion in human ovarian granulosa tumor cells

Granulosa cells form ovarian follicles and play important roles in the growth and maturation of oocytes. The protection of granulosa cells from cellular injury caused by oxidative stress is an effective therapy for female infertility. We here investigated an effective bioactive compound derived from Prunus mume seed extract that protects granulosa cells from hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced apoptosis. We detected the bioactive compound, 3, 4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (3, 4-DHBA), via bioactivity-guided isolation and found that it inhibited the H₂O₂-induced apoptosis of granulosa cells. We also showed that 3, 4-DHBA promoted estradiol secretion in granulosa cells and enhanced the mRNA expression levels of steroidogenic factor 1, a promoter of key steroidogenic enzymes. These results suggest that P. mume seed extract may have clinical potential for the prevention and treatment of female infertility.