title: Juncaceae species as sources of innovative bioactive compounds for the food industry: In vitro antioxidant activity, neuroprotective properties and in silico studies.
abstract: Several Juncus species are traditionally used as sedative and to treat health problems like insomnia. This work was based on the hypothesis that Juncus acutus, J. maritimus and J. inflexus may have molecules with bioactivities relevant for the improvement of cognitive functions and thus with potential use as food additives and/or nutraceuticals. Therefore leaves and roots extracts of those species were evaluated for radical scavenging (RSA) and metal chelating activities, and for in vitro inhibition of acetyl-(AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). The bioactive compound was isolated and identified by HPLC-DAD, and its anticholinesterase capacity was determined by different assays. Docking studies were performed to elucidate its inhibitory mechanism. The dichloromethane root extract of J. acutus had the highest RSA against DPPH and ABTS radicals, and the dichloromethane extract of J. maritimus leaves had the uppermost FRAP. The dichloromethane extract from J. acutus leaves had the strongest BuChE inhibition. Juncunol was the bioactive compound, exhibiting dual anticholinesterase capacity on enzyme-based assays and AChE inhibition in neuronal and glial cells in vitro. Molecular docking studies indicate juncunol as a competitive reversible inhibitor. Our results suggest that Juncus spp. can be sources of bioactive compounds with application in the food industry as cognitive-enhancer nutraceuticals.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria João
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da Republica, Oeiras P-2780-157, Portugal.
authors.forename: Katkam N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Gangadhar
authors.affiliation: Selcuk University, Science Faculty, Department of Biology, Campus, 42250 Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gokhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zengin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mollica
authors.affiliation: Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Varela
authors.affiliation: Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Luísa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barreira
authors.affiliation: Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal. Electronic address: lcustodio@ualg.pt.
authors.forename: Luísa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Custódio
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000737:chemistry; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000737:chemistry; D002460:Cell Line; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry*; D019649:Food Industry; D006801:Humans; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D062105:Molecular Docking Simulation; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Halophytes; Juncunol; Molecular docking; Neuroprotection; Oxidative stress