Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammaging Ability of Prune (Prunus Spinosa L.) Extract Result in Improved Wound Healing Efficacy

Abstract

Prunus spinosa L. fruit (PSF) ethanol extract, showing a peculiar content of biologically active molecules (polyphenols), was investigated for its wound healing capacity, a typical feature that declines during aging and is negatively affected by the persistence of inflammation and oxidative stress. To this aim, first, PSF anti-inflammatory properties were tested on young and senescent LPS-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). As a result, PSF treatment increased miR-146a and decreased IRAK-1 and IL-6 expression levels. In addition, the PSF antioxidant effect was validated in vitro with DPPH assay and confirmed by in vivo treatments in C. elegans. Our findings showed beneficial effects on worms’ lifespan and healthspan with positive outcomes on longevity markers (i.e., miR-124 upregulation and miR-39 downregulation) as well. The PSF effect on wound healing was tested using the same cells and experimental conditions employed to investigate PSF antioxidant and anti-inflammaging ability. PSF treatment resulted in a significant improvement of wound healing closure (ca. 70%), through cell migration, both in young and older cells, associated to a downregulation of inflammation markers. In conclusion, PSF extract antioxidant and anti-inflammaging abilities result in improved wound healing capacity, thus suggesting that PSF might be helpful to improve the quality of life for its beneficial health effects.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Role of Acetylcholinesterase in their Pathogenesis

“…In addition, extracts of other Prunus spp. such as Prunus spinos showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [453,454]. Zhengtian Capsule is a Chinese patent medicine that consists of a mixture of 15 herbs including Prunus persica [455].…”

Potential Nutrients from Natural and Synthetic Sources Targeting Inflammaging—A Review of Literature, Clinical Data and Patents

“…Further, the Prunus extract (400 µg/mL) increased the life and health span in C. elegans. Overall, the study indicated that P. spinosa fruit extract might enhance wound healing capacity in senescent conditions, thereby improving the quality of life in aging populations [126].…”

Blackthorn—A Valuable Source of Phenolic Antioxidants with Potential Health Benefits

“…In past studies, different scientists [4,9,10,89,[95][96][97] have demonstrated a significant antioxidant activity of blackthorn extracts by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test, knowing the fact that fruits with a high capacity of radical scavenging are associated with low occurrences of degenerative diseases (inflammation and arthritis) [98]. Blackthorn fruit ethanolic extract was investigated for its wound-healing capacity by Coppari et al (2021) [99]. The human umbilical vein endothelial cells were mechanically scratched within T25 tissue culture flasks and then subjected to evaluation using a phase contrast microscope.…”