Neuroprotective Potential of Verbascoside Isolated from Acanthus mollis L. Leaves through Its Enzymatic Inhibition and Free Radical Scavenging Ability

Abstract

The phenomenon of today’s ageing population has increased interest in the search for new active substances that delay the onset and development of neurodegenerative diseases. In this respect, the search for natural compounds, mainly phenolic compounds, with neuroprotective activity has become the focus of growing interest. Verbascoside is a phenylethanoid that has already presented several pharmacological activities. The purpose of this study is to isolate and identify verbascoside from Acanthus mollis leaves. Consequently, its neuroprotective ability through enzymatic inhibition and free radical scavenging ability has been analyzed both in vitro and in cell culture assays. The antioxidant capacity of verbascoside was evaluated in vitro through total antioxidant capacity, DPPH•, OH•, and O2•—scavenging activity assays. The effect of verbascoside on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of HepG2 and SH-SY5Y cell lines was studied in normal culture and under induced oxidative stress. The inhibitory ability of the phenylethanoid against several enzymes implied in neurodegenerative diseases (tyrosinase, MAO-A, and AChE) was analyzed in vitro. Verbascoside neuroprotective activity is at least in part related to its free radical scavenging ability. The effect of verbascoside on ROS production suggests its potential in the prevention of harmful cell redox changes and in boosting neuroprotection.

Preventive Efficacy of an Antioxidant Compound on Blood Retinal Barrier Breakdown and Visual Dysfunction in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

“…Additional antioxidant/anti-inflammatory compounds belong to the extensive family of phenylpropanoids, a class of plant-derived polyphenols, which are biosynthesized from the amino acid phenylalanine ( Alipieva et al, 2014 ). Of them verbascoside exerts an anti-inflammatory role due to its ROS scavenging, antioxidant and iron chelating properties ( Perron and Brumaghim, 2009 ; Burgos et al, 2020 ) although its potential role in DR remains to be established. In addition to plant-derived antioxidant compounds, the activation of enzymes involved in antioxidant defenses has been related to the activity of zinc ( Kamińska et al, 2021 ).…”

Role of Natural Antioxidants on Neuroprotection and Neuroinflammation

“…Verbascoside, isolated from the leaves of Acanthus mollis L., a herbaceous plant of the Acanthaceae family, showed potential therapeutic effects thanks to its ability to inhibit MAO-A and, therefore, decrease the degradation of monoaminergic neurotransmitters. This effect is enhanced by its ability to scavenge free radicals and, consequently, decrease the oxidative stress induced in neuronal cells [ 13 ]. The essential oil of Thymus vulgaris is characterized by a large amount of monoterpenes, and the two main phenolic monoterpenes, thymol and carvacrol, occur more frequently.…”

The Footprint of Kynurenine Pathway in Neurodegeneration: Janus-Faced Role in Parkinson’s Disorder and Therapeutic Implications

“…Extensive research has been carried out to investigate potential antioxidants to ameliorate oxidative stress conditions, such as free radical scavenging vitamin D (water soluble antioxidant); vitamin C, exhibiting neuroprotective actions against L-DOPA induced neurotoxicity [186]; mangosteen pericarp water extract exhibiting antioxidative neuronal protection and anti-apoptotic effects in mice, resulting in enhanced spatial memory [188]; MAO-A inhibitor, Verbascoside [189]; essential oil of Thymus vulgaris [190,191]; and Juglans regia L. extract, which mitigates oxidative stress in neuronal tissue and enhances cognitive potential [186].…”