Nanoencapsulation of Vaccinium ashei Leaf Extract in Eudragit® RS100-Based Nanoparticles Increases Its In Vitro Antioxidant and In Vivo Antidepressant-like Actions

Abstract

Depression is a major psychiatric disorder in Brazil and worldwide. Vaccinium ashei (V. ashei) leaves are cultivation by-products with high bioactive compound levels. Here, a hydroalcoholic extract of V. ashei leaves (HEV) was associated with Eudragit® RS100-based nanoparticles (NPHEV) to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and in vivo antidepressant-like effects. Interfacial deposition of the preformed polymer method was used for NPHEV production. The formulations were evaluated regarding physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging and oxygen radical absorbance capacity), and antidepressant-like action (1–25 mg/kg, single intragastric administration) assessed in forced swimming and tail suspension tests in male Balb-C mice. The NPHEV presented sizes in the nanometric range (144–206 nm), positive zeta potential values (8–15 mV), polydispersity index below 0.2, and pH in the acid range. The phenolic compound content was near the theoretical values, although the rutin presented higher encapsulation efficiency (~95%) than the chlorogenic acid (~60%). The nanoencapsulation improved the HEV antioxidant effect and antidepressant-like action by reducing the immobility time in both behavioral tests. Hence, Eudragit® RS100 nanoparticles containing HEV were successfully obtained and are a promising alternative to manage depression.

Exogenous Abscisic Acid Regulates Anthocyanin Biosynthesis and Gene Expression in Blueberry Leaves

“…Blueberry leaves, which have been used mainly for medicinal purposes, are considered essentially as waste or by-products. Various health benefits were reported for leaf extracts from the Vaccinium species [29][30][31][32]. A large number of studies have shown that exogenous ABA stimulates anthocyanin accumulation of blueberry fruits [7,43,44].…”

“…Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is a popular fruit worldwide, in part due to the health benefits associated with its rich flavonoid compounds, particularly anthocyanins [27,28]. The fruits of the Vaccinium species are the main commercial products, whereas the leaves have been used mainly for medicinal purposes [29][30][31][32]. In the wild lowbush blueberry (V. angustifolium) and lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea), the total antioxidant capacities in terms of radical scavenging activity and reducing power were much higher in the leaves of both plants as compared to their fruits, which were in correlation with phenolic contents including total flavonoids, anthocyanins, and tannins [33].…”