The Effects of Sorbus aucuparia L. Fruit Extracts on Oxidative/Nitrative Modifications of Human Fibrinogen, Impact on Enzymatic Properties of Thrombin, and Hyaluronidase Activity In Vitro

Abstract

Sorbus aucuparia L. fruits (rowanberries) are food products with acknowledged nutritional value, high phenolic content, and traditional application in diabetes. In this study, the effects of rowanberry extracts (phytochemically standardised, i.a., by LC-MS/MS) on some aspects of plasma haemostasis and vascular conditions were evaluated in vitro as possible mechanisms connected with cardiovascular complications of diabetes. The analyses of structural modifications of human fibrinogen under oxidative stress conditions (C-ELISA, SDS-PAGE and Western blot) revealed that the extracts (at a concentration of 1–5 µg/mL) considerably reduced the nitration of tyrosine residues and formation of high-molecular-weight aggregates. Moreover, they inhibited the enzymatic activity of thrombin (both amidolytic and proteolytic). Additionally, some promising outcomes might be expected regarding endothelial functions from the extracts ability to inhibit hyaluronidase. Parallel experiments on model polyphenols and correlation studies formed the basis for determining the contribution of different compounds, including hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavonols, and low- or high-molecular-weight flavan-3-ols derivatives (proanthocyanidins), to the observed effects. The possible synergistic activity of individual constituents was also noticed. These results broaden the knowledge on the biological activity of rowanberries, partly confirming their health-promoting properties, and indicating that their functional applications might be promising.

Rowanberry—A Source of Bioactive Compounds and Their Biopharmaceutical Properties

“…Rowanberry extracts can counteract some side effects of type 2 diabetes, such as cardiovascular complications. One study result showed that extracts from rowanberries had an antithrombotic and protector effect on endothelial functions by protecting human fibrinogen against oxidative modifications, inhibiting thrombin enzymatic properties, diluting the generated fibrin clot and by the inhibition of hyaluronidase activity [ 82 ].…”

“…Studies on the action of the fraction rich in polyphenols against Clostridium perfringens , Bacillus cereus , Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans showed the presence of antibacterial activity against all strains tested, except Bacillus cereus [ 55 ], while the antimicrobial effect of the phenolic extract of rowanberries (1 mg/mL) is very strong against Bacillus cereus , weak against Staphylococcus aureus and does not affect Clostridium perfringens and Candida albicans [ 82 ]. In another study, Bacillus cereus , Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis were the most sensitive of Gram-positive bacteria to rowanberry pomace extracts, while Listeria monocytogenes was less sensitive [ 47 ].…”

“…The fraction rich in polyphenols showed the presence of antibacterial activity against Campylobacter jejuni [ 55 ], while the phenolic extract of rowanberries (1 mg/mL) is weak against Campylobacter jejuni . [ 82 ].…”

Flavonol and A-type procyanidin-rich extracts of Prunus spinosa L. flower exhibit anticoagulant activity through direct thrombin inhibition, but do not affect platelet aggregation in vitro

“…Some plants may be promising sources of substances exerting anticoagulant activities through the inhibition of thrombin. In recent years, the direct interaction with this serine protease has been reported for several plant-derived substances, including polyphenol-rich extracts/fractions from black chokeberry ( Aronia melanocarpa ) ( Bijak et al, 2013 ; Sikora et al, 2014 ), grape seeds ( Vitis vinifera ) ( Bijak et al, 2013 ), rowanberries ( Sorbus aucuparia ) ( Rutkowska et al, 2021 ), St. John’s Wort ( Hypericum perforatum ) ( Wei et al, 2019 ), alkaloid and polyphenol-rich extracts from Uncaria tomentosa leaves and barks ( Kolodziejczyk-Czepas et al, 2021 ), diterpene-rich extracts from Salviae Miltiorrhizae roots ( Lu et al, 2015 ; Yang et al, 2020 ), and bufadienolide-rich fractions from Kalanchoe daigremontiana ( Kolodziejczyk-Czepas et al, 2017 ).…”

“…Recent studies have noted polyphenols’ ability to counteract thrombin action, particularly for isolated compounds like flavonols, anthocyanidins, flavonolignans, and flavan-3-ols ( Liu et al, 2010 ; Bijak et al, 2014 ). However, there are limited reports on the thrombin-inhibitory effects of polyphenol-rich extracts ( Bijak et al, 2013 ; Sikora et al, 2014 ; Wei et al, 2019 ; Rutkowska et al, 2021 ). Considering the observed synergy between various types of polyphenols and the potential advantages of using extracts over isolated compounds, the search for polyphenol-rich extracts with antithrombotic properties is justified.…”