Antioxidant effect of hydralazine on retinal pigment epithelial cells and its potential use in the therapy of age-related macular degeneration

Aim: To investigate the antioxidant effect of hydralazine under hypoxia-induced damage on retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells and the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this effect. • Methods: Human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells were used to investigate the effect of hydralazine on oxidative stress, including tert-butyl hydroxyperoxide (t-BHP), H2 O2, sodium azide (NaN3), and hypoxia induced cell damage. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. • Results: When ARPE-19 cells were treated with oxidative stress induced by ROS, hydralazine showed concentration-dependent protection against t-BHP, H2 O2 and hypoxia induced cell damage but not NaN3. Nitric oxide (NO) was not involved in this effect. • Conclusion: Hydralazine showed antioxidant potential against oxidative stress induced damage in ARPE-19 cells. These effects might be caused through scavenger of ROS. Thus, hydralazine could be used for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).