Eisenia foetida (Sav.) coelomic fluid protect human umbilical vein endothelial cells against metformin-induced cell toxicity

The coelomic fluid of the red California earthworm Eisenia foetida (Sav.) includes a number of bioactive substances with antitumor and protective effects, thus making the fluid to also act as a defensive agent for the organism. Eisenia foetida coelomic fluid can be used as an alternative medication, for it is readily available and has few adverse effects. Metformin are widely used for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing hepatic glucose production; however, therapeutic dose-related adverse effects have been reported. The present investigation aims to determine, for the first time, the protective effects of E. foetida coelomic fluid against possible metformin toxicity at the molecular and cellular levels. Metformin-induced cell toxicity was conducted following E. foetida coelomic fluid pre-treatment in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC). In addition to cell and nuclear morphology observation, a decrease in reactive oxygen species and apoptotic cell rate was determined. According to the obtained findings, the coelomic fluid of E. foetida preserved cell viability and morphology, reduced reactive oxygen species and apoptosis cell death, and enhanced anti-apoptotic mRNA expressions. When treating diseases, medical support and adjunct therapies should be taken into account. In this sense, our present preliminary in vitro findings showed that E. foetida coelomic fluid might has great additional treatment potential, and further molecular and animal studies to support this effect are needed.