Antioxidant Properties and Protective Effects of Some Species of the Annonaceae, Lamiaceae, and Geraniaceae Families against Neuronal Damage Induced by Excitotoxicity and Cerebral Ischemia

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the antioxidant activities of extracts obtained from three plant families and evaluate their therapeutic effect on strokes. Ethanol extracts were obtained from either the leaf or the aerial parts of plants of the families Annonaceae (Annona cherimola, A. diversifolia, A. muricata, A. purpurea, and A. reticulata), Lamiaceae (Salvia amaríssima and S. polystachya), and Geraniaceae (Geranium niveum and G. mexicanum). Extracts were analyzed in terms of hydroxyl radical (OH•), peroxyl radical (ROO•), and superoxide anion (O2•−). The efficiency of the extracts to prevent neuronal death induced by excitotoxicity was tested with the tetrazolium assay, the O2•− scavenging capacity was evaluated with the dihydroethidium dye, and the protective effect of the extracts with the highest antioxidant activity was tested on a stroke experimental model. The extracts’ IC50 values (μg/mL) of scavenging varied from 98.9 to 155.04, 4.5 to 102.4, and 20.2 to 118.97 for OH•, ROO•, and O2•−, respectively. In the excitotoxicity model, Annonaceae extracts were highly cytotoxic while Lamiaceae and Geraniaceae reduced intracellular O2•− production and protect neurons against oxidative stress. Salvia polystachya reduced cerebral damage, as well as improved survival and behavior after ischemia. Our results encouraged the use of plant extracts as natural antioxidants to minimize neuronal injury following stroke.

Determination of the Bioactive Effect of Custard Apple By-Products by In Vitro Assays

“…Up to date, there is scarce literature about the anti-radical activity of custard apple seed and peel extracts, demonstrating that deep investigation is needed in this field. ·O 2 − scavenging was impossible to assess since neither the custard apple seed nor the peel showed anti-radical activity against the superoxide specie, which is in agreement with another study formerly performed [ 31 ]. Here, a direct relationship is established between ·O 2 − scavenging capacity and flavonoid content, so it can be thought that their presence in the custard apple matrix is not high enough to scavenge this species.…”

Emerging Role of Ferroptosis in the Pathogenesis of Ischemic Stroke: A New Therapeutic Target?

“…The functional damage of neurons in the penumbra is reversible ( Xu et al, 2019 ). However, prolonged periods of ischemia increase neuronal cell death and worsen clinical symptoms; furthermore, many secondary factors such as excitotoxicity induced by dying cerebral tissues and inflammation near the ischemic region may come into play ( Lambertsen et al, 2019 ; Pineda-Ramírez et al, 2020 ). Therefore, protection of neurons in the ischemic penumbra is critical for the treatment of ischemic stroke.…”

Polyphenol components and antioxidant activity of Thymus spp.

“…It is still a popular group of plants with increasing interest among aromatic cultures [14]. They have been used in traditional and non-traditional medicine to treat different diseases [15]. Among Lamiaceae representatives, Thymus spp.…”