Anti-Zika Virus Effects, Placenta Protection and Chemical Composition of Passiflora edulis Seeds Ethanolic Extract

Abstract

Various beneficial biological activities have been reported for passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), grown in tropical and subtropical regions. However, no study has yet demonstrated its action against the Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-ZIKV of the ethanolic passion fruit seed extract (PFSE), from which, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis allowed to putatively annotate the occurrence of piceatannol, astringin, scirpusin A, scirpusin B, isookanin-7-O-glucoside and naringenin-7-O-glucoside, two quadranguloside derivatives, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. PFSE is well tolerated by cell lines (Vero E6 and HTR-8/SVneo) and tissue explants from the human placenta. With 1- and 24-h treatments, PFSE consistently reduced the viral load and NS1 protein expression of the two strains of ZIKV (MR766 and PE243) in placental explants and cell lines. Thus, PFSE has a promising potential for developing anti-ZIKV treatments, protecting the placenta against infection caused by ZIKV, along with relevant antioxidant potential, represented by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of 390.5 Trolox eq per g dry extract and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) of 12.1 μg mL–1, and more than 90% protection from lipid peroxidation. Although further studies need to be conducted, PFSE treatment was safe and effective in trophoblast cells and placental explants, thus representing a promising class of all-accessible products based on the reuse of industrial by-products.

Ethanol Extract of Passiflora cincinnata Seeds Posses Antidiabetic, Antiglycant, and Antioxidant Activities in vitro

“…Extraction of extract yields is crucial in assessing the cost and benefits associated with potential nutraceutical development. Xavier and colleagues [7], when studying the ethanol extraction of the seeds of Passiflora edulis, obtained 4 times higher yields (7.9%). The degree of maturation of the fruit seems to be a factor that could influence the composition of the seeds.…”

“…EPCIN did not alter cell viability up to a concentration of 50 μg/mL. Xavier and colleagues [7], when testing the cell viability (human placental HTR-8/SVneo) in the presence of the ethanol extract of Passiflora edulis seed, observed that there was no reduction in cell viability, even at the concentration used of 100 μg/ mL.…”

“…PIC's relevance is probably related to the presence of the catechol moiety [3][4][5]. In addition, researchers have identified the presence of PIC in the genus Passiflorae, which comprises more than 500 species, found predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world [6][7][8].…”

Antidiabetic, Antiglycation, and Antioxidant Activities of Ethanolic Seed Extract of Passiflora edulis and Piceatannol In Vitro

“…The cytotoxicity of PESE was investigated in the Vero E6 cell line and no decrease in cell viability was observed; however, at the highest concentration (100 µg/mL) there was an increase in cell viability, which according to the authors [36] may be related to a possible increase in mitochondrial proliferation or enzyme activity. The cell viability of human placental HTR-8/SVneo cells was also assessed in the presence of the extract, also with no reduction in cell viability at up to 100 µg/mL [36].…”

“…Our previous study identified six major phenolic compounds of PESE, including PIC, astringin, scirpusin A, scirpusin B, isookanin-7-O-glucoside, and naringenin-7-O-glucoside. Among them, PIC has emerged as a promising compound with important biological activities [36]. Hence, PIC was also investigated in this study, along with PESE.…”