In vitro antioxidant and enzymatic approaches to evaluate neuroprotector potential of Blechnum extracts without cytotoxicity to human stem cells

Juliana Maria de Mello Andrade; Renata Biegelmeyer; Roger Remy Dresch; Natasha Maurmann; Patrícia Pranke; Amélia T Henriques

Articles

Abstract

Pharmacognosy Magazine,2016,12,47,171-177.

DOI:10.4103/0973-1296.186349

Published:July 2016

Type:Original Article

Authors:

Author(s) affiliations:

Juliana Maria de Mello Andrade¹, Renata Biegelmeyer¹, Roger Remy Dresch¹, Natasha Maurmann², Patrícia Pranke², Amélia T Henriques¹
¹ Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
² Hematology and Stem Cell Laboratory; Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

Abstract:

Background: Investigation of selected plant extracts on multi-targets related to neurodegeneration, such as monoamine oxidases (MAO), cholinesterase enzymes, and antioxidant activities (AOA) is a useful tool for identification of new scaffolds. Objective: This work investigated biological effects of three Blechnum methanol extracts from Brazil and chemical profile of the most active sample. Materials and Methods: AOA included scavenging of hydroxyl and nitric oxide radicals, also lipid peroxidation inhibition. Enzymatic modulation of Blechnum binervatum, Blechnum brasiliense, and Blechnum occidentale extracts on MAO and cholinesterases was conducted. Moreover, total phenol content was performed with all samples, and high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection mass spectrometry HPLC-DAD-MS analysis was carried out with B. brasiliense. Possible toxic effects were evaluated on Wistar rats polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and human stem cells. Results: B. brasiliense extract presented the highest phenolic amount (9.25 g gallic acid equivalent/100 g extract) and lowest IC₅₀values (112.3 ± 2.61 and 176.1 ± 1.19 μg/mL) against hydroxyl radicals and on lipid peroxidation, respectively, showing strong AO effects. On nitric oxide assay and cholinesterase inhibition, all extracts were considered inactive. MAO-A selective action was evidenced, being B. brasiliense powerful against this enzyme (IC₅₀: 72.7 μg/mL), followed by B. occidentale and B. binervatum (IC₅₀: 130.85 and 165.2 μg/mL). No cytotoxic effects were observed on PMN and human stem cells treated with Blechnum extracts. HPLC-DAD-MS analysis of B. brasiliense allowed the identification of chlorogenic and rosmarinic acids. Conclusion: Our results especially highlight B. brasiliense, with pronounced phenols content and strong effects on selected targets related to neurodegeneration, being characterized as a natural safe source of bioactive hydroxycinnamic acids.