This project involves the isolation and analysis of hydrophilic leaf extracts from three different swallow-wort species (V. hirundinaria, V. luteum, V. nigrum) in order to assess their bioactive compound composition, antioxidant potential and effects on brain cells. The processes chosen for the extraction of the bioactive compounds (supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, maceration and pressurised liquids extraction) and the organic solvents (ethanol and water) are not harmful to the environment or to humans, and will therefore allow the isolation of new extracts/fractions with unique compositions and properties.
Bioactive compounds in natural preparations are known to have potential therapeutic properties, however, there is still a lack of studies investigating the direct effects of natural plant preparations on brain cells. Therefore, the present study will evaluate the effects of different swallow-wort extracts on brain cells under in vitro conditions, assessing their concentrations and incubation periods. This will provide further insight into the potential therapeutic effects of swallow-wort extracts and contribute to further research aimed at developing safe therapeutic tools or preparations based on natural extracts for the treatment of various pathologies.
Project funding:
KTU Research Fund
Project results:
The lipophilic fraction was extracted from the leaves of three different swallow-wort species (V. hirundinaria, V. luteum, V. nigrum) using optimised supercritical CO2 extraction conditions. Defatted swallow-wort leaves were further used to produce extracts using traditional (maceration) and innovative (pressurised liquids) extraction methods. Maceration was carried out using hydroethanol (70%), while for the extraction with pressurized liquids the extraction was carried out sequentially with ethanol followed by water. The qualitative composition of the bioactive compounds of the obtained extracts was investigated and the antioxidant potential of the obtained extracts was evaluated by different in vitro methods: free ABTS-+ and DPPH- radical binding capacity, copper ion reduction capacity (CUPRAC), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). The total phenolic content of the extracts was also evaluated. The effect of the extracts on primary brain cell cultures in vitro was determined by assessing brain cell viability, number variation and microglia cell proliferation using primary neuron-glia cell cultures isolated from the cerebellum of 5-7 day old Wistar rat pups of both sexes as a model system. Cellular effects were assessed by fluorescence microscopy using specific nuclear stains and cell markers.
Period of project implementation: 2024-04-11 - 2024-12-27
Project partners: Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
