Neuroprotective effects of digested polyphenols from wild blackberry species.
OBJECTIVE
Blackberry ingestion has been demonstrated to attenuate brain degenerative processes with the benefits ascribed to the (poly)phenolic components. The aim of this work was to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of two wild blackberry species in a neurodegeneration cell model and compare them with a commercial variety.


METHODS
This work encompasses chemical characterization before and after an in vitro digestion and the assessment of neuroprotection by digested metabolites. Some studies targeting redox/cell death systems were also performed to assess possible neuroprotective molecular mechanisms.


RESULTS
The three blackberry extracts presented some quantitative differences in polyphenol composition that could be responsible for the different responses in the neurodegeneration cell model. Commercial blackberry extracts were ineffective but both wild blackberries, Rubus brigantinus and Rubus vagabundus, presented neuroprotective effects. It was verified that a diminishment of intracellular ROS levels, modulation of glutathione levels and activation of caspases occurred during treatment. The last effect suggests a preconditioning effect since caspase activation was not accompanied by diminution in cell death and loss of functionality.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first time that metabolites obtained from an in vitro digested food matrix, and tested at levels approaching the concentrations found in human plasma, have been described as inducing an adaptative response.
Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Novade Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal.
Lucélia
L
Tavares
Inês
I
Figueira
Gordon J
GJ
McDougall
Helena L A
HL
Vieira
Derek
D
Stewart
Paula M
PM
Alves
Ricardo B
RB
Ferreira
Cláudia N
CN
Santos
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053179:Caspase 7 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D027824:Rosaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; C505520:CASP7 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D053179:Caspase 7; D005978:Glutathione; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide