Neuroprotective effects of digested polyphenols from wild blackberry species

Lucelia Tavares, Ines Figueira, Gordon J. McDougall, Helena L. A. Vieira, Derek Stewart, Paula M. Alves, Ricardo B. Ferreira, Claudia N. Santos

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    67 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Blackberry ingestion has been demonstrated to attenuate brain degenerative processes with the benefits ascribed to the (poly)phenolic components. The aim of this work was to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of two wild blackberry species in a neurodegeneration cell model and compare them with a commercial variety.

    This work encompasses chemical characterization before and after an in vitro digestion and the assessment of neuroprotection by digested metabolites. Some studies targeting redox/cell death systems were also performed to assess possible neuroprotective molecular mechanisms.

    The three blackberry extracts presented some quantitative differences in polyphenol composition that could be responsible for the different responses in the neurodegeneration cell model. Commercial blackberry extracts were ineffective but both wild blackberries, Rubus brigantinus and Rubus vagabundus, presented neuroprotective effects. It was verified that a diminishment of intracellular ROS levels, modulation of glutathione levels and activation of caspases occurred during treatment. The last effect suggests a preconditioning effect since caspase activation was not accompanied by diminution in cell death and loss of functionality.

    This is the first time that metabolites obtained from an in vitro digested food matrix, and tested at levels approaching the concentrations found in human plasma, have been described as inducing an adaptative response.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)225-236
    Number of pages12
    JournalEuropean Journal of Nutrition
    Volume52
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2013

    Keywords

    • Glutathione balance
    • LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY/MASS SPECTROMETRY
    • OXIDATIVE-STRESS
    • Caspase activity
    • MALDI-TOF-MS
    • PC12 CELLS
    • HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE
    • Neurodegenerative diseases
    • Wild blackberries
    • CASPASE-3 ACTIVATION
    • CELLULAR ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY
    • ELLAGIC ACID
    • In vitro digestion
    • SIMULATED GASTROINTESTINAL DIGESTION
    • PHENOLIC-COMPOUNDS

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Neuroprotective effects of digested polyphenols from wild blackberry species'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this