Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Thai Shallot (Allium ascalonicum cv. chiangmai) and Cha-Miang (Camellia sinensis var. assamica) Extracts on Human Embryonic Kidney Cell Line (HEK293)

Oxidative stress and inflammation are key drivers in the pathogenesis of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes. This study evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of SHE, CME, and FCME, all cultivated in northern Thailand. Human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) were exposed to FeSO₄ to induce oxidative stress and to LPS to stimulate inflammation. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, while intracellular ROS production was measured using the DCFH-DA. Lipid peroxidation was quantified using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay, and the interleukin-6 (IL-6) release was determined by ELISAs. All extracts demonstrated low cytotoxicity; however, cell death increased at 48 h compared to 24 h. At 200 µg/mL, SHE, CME, and FCME significantly reduced the H₂O₂-induced ROS generation, with the combined treatment of SHE and FCME producing a more pronounced reduction than the individual treatments. Furthermore, the combination of SHE and FCME markedly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and IL-6 levels compared with other groups. These findings suggest that shallot and cha-miang extracts, particularly in combination, exhibit promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in kidney cell models. This combination could therefore be explored as a nutraceutical strategy for the prevention and management of chronic kidney disease, in which oxidative stress and inflammation play pivotal roles. Overall, our finding highlight the potential of the combined use of SHE and FCME as a functional ingredients in the food and pharmaceutical industries.