The disruption of iron homeostasis is an important factor in the loss of mitochondrial function in neural cells, leading to neurodegeneration. Here, we assessed the protective action of gossypitrin (Gos), a naturally occurring flavonoid, on iron-induced neuronal cell damage using mouse hippocampal HT-22 cells and mitochondria isolated from rat brains. Gos was able to rescue HT22 cells from the damage induced by 100 µM Fe(II)-citrate (EC50 8.6 µM). This protection was linked to the prevention of both iron-induced mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation and ATP depletion. In isolated mitochondria, Gos (50 µM) elicited an almost complete protection against iron-induced mitochondrial swelling, the loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and ATP depletion. Gos also prevented Fe(II)-citrate-induced mitochondrial lipid peroxidation with an IC50 value (12.45 µM) that was about nine time lower than that for the tert-butylhydroperoxide-induced oxidation. Furthermore, the flavonoid was effective in inhibiting the degradation of both 15 and 1.5 mM 2-deoxyribose. It also decreased Fe(II) concentration with time, while increasing O2 consumption rate, and impairing the reduction of Fe(III) by ascorbate. Gos–Fe(II) complexes were detected by UV-VIS and IR spectroscopies, with an apparent Gos-iron stoichiometry of 2:1. Results suggest that Gos does not generally act as a classical antioxidant, but it directly affects iron, by maintaining it in its ferric form after stimulating Fe(II) oxidation. Metal ions would therefore be unable to participate in a Fenton-type reaction and the lipid peroxidation propagation phase. Hence, Gos could be used to treat neuronal diseases associated with iron-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage.

Abstract. Gossypitrin, a natural occurring flavonoid and the main bioactive substance from the flowers of Talipariti elatum Sw. (Blue Mahoe), is traditionally used in Cuba as expectorant and antasthmatic. It was analyzed by GC/MS using BSTFA as derivatization agent to get information about the chemical components present in the sample. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of another five different chemical compounds. According to NIST21 and NIST107 Libraries Databases the phytocompounds screened were D-Turanose, Thymol-β-d-glucopyranoside, Ribitol, 2-Deoxy ribose and Hydroquinone-β-d-glucopyranoside. In addition, the structures of another 13 compounds have been identified by GC/MS experiments after isolation in T. elatum in this sample for the first time.