Potential Activity of Abrantes Pollen Extract: Biochemical and Cellular Model Studies

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the grain composition and (poly)phenolic profile of pollen from Abrantes (Portugal), as well as its antioxidative and antidiabetic properties, and abilities to protect human erythrocytes against induced hemoglobin oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and hemolysis. The phytochemical profile of the Abrantes’ bee pollen revealed twenty phenolic compounds, identified by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry coupled with photodiode array detection. Among them, quercetin derivatives were the most abundant. Concerning the biological potential, the pollen extract showed notable capacity for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide, and superoxide radicals, as well as for inhibition of α-glucosidase action, and protection of human erythrocytes against oxidative damage. Non-cytotoxic effects regarding the NHDF normal cell line, human adenocarcinoma Caco-2, and human liver HepG2 cells were observed. The results obtained contributed to further research on modes of action related to oxidative damage and metabolic health problems, to generate deeper knowledge of potential health-promoting effects to develop novel pharmaceutical drugs, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements.

Zimbro (Juniperus communis L.) as a Promising Source of Bioactive Compounds and Biomedical Activities: A Review on Recent Trends

“…This flavan-3-ol possesses several hydroxyl groups in its constitution, which makes it a potent radical scavenger. As evidence, positive correlations ( r > 0.80; p < 0.05) were already reported concerning their levels and capacity to neutralize DPPH ● [ 108 ] and to inhibit lipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes [ 109 , 110 ]. Regarding terpenes’ antioxidant activity, Burits and colleagues [ 111 ] already reported that α -pinene, ρ -cymene, limonene, and linalool possess notable capacities to block lipid peroxidation (IC 50 values of 0.51, 0.69 and 0.67 µL/mL, respectively) and to avoid deoxyribose degradation (IC 50 scores of 0.78, 0.91 and 0.28 µL/mL, respectively).…”

Translational Research on Bee Pollen as a Source of Nutrients: A Scoping Review from Bench to Real World

“…A hydroethanolic extract of a commercial multifloral BP was recently reported to manifest, in a dose-dependent manner, a radical scavenging activity on diverse test-generated radicals (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) which is classically used in experimental studies, and nitric oxide, and superoxide which were used for the first time in pollen studies) [ 154 ]. Water and hydroethanolic extracts of Cannabis sativa were also reported to show an in vitro radical scavenging and peroxidase inhibitory activities with hydroethanolic extract being more active [ 179 ].…”

“…Numerous studies have reported that the feeding of BP to animals resulted in a marked activation of diverse antioxidant mechanisms and an improvement in antioxidant defense against different experimentally-induced oxidative damages [ 132 , 137 , 142 , 172 , 184 , 185 ]. In addition, studies of BP extracts obtained by diverse solvents, including ethanolic [ 148 , 156 , 167 , 168 ], hydroethanolic [ 15 , 154 , 171 , 179 ], and diverse organic solvent-mediated extracts [ 150 , 151 , 153 , 175 ], have noted important antioxidant activities regardless of the extraction media. These bioeffects were also widely reported in animal models by studies that focused on different anatomical organs and physiological systems including renal [ 174 ], nervous [ 139 , 174 ], digestive [ 144 , 151 ], and reproductive [ 172 , 185 ] systems, as well as on different biochemical, hematological, and toxicological markers at systemic levels [ 137 , 165 , 184 ].…”

“…The possible antidiabetic action of BP in the intestinal tract was also shown by an in vitro study of a multifloral sample composed mainly of Echium plantagineum , Cistus ladanifer , and Quercus sp. A hydroethanolic extract of this BP resulted in a significant dose-dependent inhibition of α-glucosidase activity which was, however, much weaker than acarbose in all tested doses [ 154 ].…”

Fast Chromatographic Determination of Free Amino Acids in Bee Pollen

“…Bee products, such as honey, royal jelly, or bee pollen, have been consumed since ancient times for their nutritional value and health promoting effects (of an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, analgesic, anti-fungal or anti-viral nature) [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. The consumption of bee products has been increasing in interest in the last few years, and this is particularly relevant in the case of bee pollen [ 5 , 6 ].…”