Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Properties of Eugenia dysenterica Leaves

Abstract

Eugenia dysenterica ex DC Mart. (Myrtaceae), popularly known as “cagaita,” is a Brazilian plant rich in polyphenols and other antioxidant compounds. Aiming to evaluate the potential use of cagaita in pathologies involving oxidative stress, such as neurodegenerative disorders, this study investigated its antioxidant potential and neuroprotective effect. Electrochemical approaches and aluminium-induced neurotoxicity were used to determine respectively in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of cagaita. Voltammetric experiments were carried out in a three-electrode system, whose working electrode consisted of glassy carbon. Male Swiss mice were administered with AlCl3 orally at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day and with cagaita leaf hydroalcoholic extract (CHE) at doses of 10, 100, and 300 mg/kg/day. The redox behavior of CHE presented similar features to that of quercetin, a widely known antioxidant standard. CHE prevented mouse memory impairment which resulted from aluminium intake. In addition, biochemical markers of oxidative stress (catalase, superoxide dismutase activity, and lipid peroxidation) were normalized by CHE treatment. The potential of CHE to prevent aluminium-induced neurotoxicity was reflected at the microscopic level, through the decrease of the number of eosinophilic necrosis phenotypes seen in treated groups. Moreover, the protective effect of CHE was similar to that of quercetin, which was taken as the standard. These findings showed that the CHE of cagaita leaves has a potential to protect the brain against oxidative-induced brain damage.

Neuromodulatory Activity of Dietary Phenolics Derived from Corchorus olitorius L.

“…Collectively, the findings of the current study fit within the modernized attempt of phytomedicine to explore the benefits of polyphenols in neurodegenerative diseases. Several polyphenol‐rich plants have been shown to protect the brain against oxidative stress in addition to other effects such as an anti‐Aβ fibrillation and microglial neuroprotective effects (Thomaz et al., ). Being a major subclass of polyphenols, flavonoids have demonstrated neuroprotective effects by increasing neuronal viability, reducing loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain, having an anti‐amyloidogenic effect, and improving cognitive impairment (Chen, Wu, et al., ; Putteeraj, Lim, Teoh, & Yahaya, ).…”

Correlation of polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of selected teas and tisanes from Brazilian market

“…In order to explore the physicochemical features of herbal preparations, all samples were subjected to voltammetric screenings, such as: Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV) and Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) (Thomaz et al, 2018a(Thomaz et al, , 2018b. All experiments were conducted using potentiostate/galvanostate PGSTAT ® model 204 coupled to FRA32M module (Metrohm) and integrated to NOVA 2.1 ® software.…”

How Phytocomponents May be Valuable Against Oxidative Stress in Brain Tissue?

“…The antioxidant capacity of phytochemicals is a well-known feature, and its mechanisms are nonetheless explored in many cosmetical and nutraceutical products [9,10]. Given the relationship between the chemical structure and physicochemical features such as antioxidant capacity, many compounds bearing similar structural characteristics also showcase similar thermodynamic feasibility to undergo oxidation [11][12][13]. Amongst these compounds are polyphenols, whose oxidation mechanism often contemplates reversibility, as showcased with ocatechol as instance in (Figure 2).…”

“…Considering that exogenous antioxidants such as plant secondary metabolites may restitute and preserve the activity of the endogenous antioxidant arsenal, as well as scavenge ROS, it can be suggested that these phytochemicals may play a part in aiding brain tissue to keep its integrity. Notwithstanding, several reports showcased the effectiveness of plant-based antioxidants such as polyphenols in mopping up free radicals and hindering lipid peroxidation, as well as preserving nervous functions such as memory, mobility, balance and other cognitive features [11,12].…”

“…For instance, it is widely known that inflammation increases the genesis of free radicals, being anti-inflammatory agents also valuable in keeping tissue integrity. Moreover, polyphenols are acknowledged to bind to many inflammation-related targets and nucleic acids, as well as enzymes whose role is to regulate neuron communication, such as acetylcholinesterase [11,12,18].…”