Parkia biglobosaImproves Mitochondrial Functioning and Protects against Neurotoxic Agents in Rat Brain Hippocampal Slices

Abstract

Objective. Methanolic leaf extracts of Parkia biglobosa, PBE, and one of its major polyphenolic constituents, catechin, were investigated for their protective effects against neurotoxicity induced by different agents on rat brain hippocampal slices and isolated mitochondria. Methods. Hippocampal slices were preincubated with PBE (25, 50, 100, or 200 µg/mL) or catechin (1, 5, or 10 µg/mL) for 30 min followed by further incubation with 300 µM H2O2, 300 µM SNP, or 200 µM PbCl2 for 1 h. Effects of PBE and catechin on SNP- or CaCl2-induced brain mitochondrial ROS formation and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were also determined. Results. PBE and catechin decreased basal ROS generation in slices and blunted the prooxidant effects of neurotoxicants on membrane lipid peroxidation and nonprotein thiol contents. PBE rescued hippocampal cellular viability from SNP damage and caused a significant boost in hippocampus Na+, K+-ATPase activity but with no effect on the acetylcholinesterase activity. Both PBE and catechin also mitigated SNP- or CaCl2-dependent mitochondrial ROS generation. Measurement by safranine fluorescence however showed that the mild depolarization of the ΔΨm by PBE was independent of catechin. Conclusion. The results suggest that the neuroprotective effect of PBE is dependent on its constituent antioxidants and mild mitochondrial depolarization propensity.

African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa, Jacq Benth) leaf extract affects mitochondrial redox chemistry and inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme in vitro

“…Data is presented as mean ± SEM of three assays performed in triplicates using independent mitochondrial preparations. *P < 0.05 vs 0 μg/ml present in high amount in PBE [11]. Catechins possess strong metal ion chelating potentials due to their catechol structures and have been shown to form stable complexes with ions, including Fe 2+ and Ca 2+ [37].…”

“…Ca 2+ and SNP-dependent surge in mitochondrial production of RS was more efficiently attenuated by PBE than catechin. Concentration of catechin used in the present study was based on the proportion of catechin in crude extract as previously documented [11].…”

“…A decoction of the bark, root and leaves is used in treating toothaches, leprosy, hypertension and fevers [10]. The phenolic constituents [11] and hypotensive effect of the leaf extract was earlier reported [12]. However, the mechanism underlying the hypotensive effect is still a subject of investigation.…”

Polyphenol-rich fraction of Parquetina nigrescens mitigates dichlorvos-induced neurotoxicity and apoptosis

“…Lower levels of NO in cerebellum and cerebrum of rats exposed to dichlorvos alone in this study, may be attributed to a possible reaction with superoxide anion radical available from a decreased scavenging activity of SOD under the stress condition. This reaction leads to the formation of a very toxic peroxynitrite which causes oxidative stress mediated cell damage [29].…”

Ilex paraguariensis crude extract acts on protection and reversion from damage induced by t‐butyl hydroperoxide in human erythrocytes: a comparative study with isolated caffeic and/or chlorogenic acids

“…Excessive reactive oxygen species production can overcome cellular antioxidant defenses and lead to a deleterious condition termed oxidative stress, which has been implicated in the initiation and progression of several human pathologies via deleterious modification of biomolecules. Accordingly, studies have focused on the potential use of natural compounds in a variety of conditions associated with oxidative stress, with a special emphasis on the plants/metabolites widely consumed by people in beverages and/or foods …”