Wild Andean blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth) and Andean blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth) from the Highlands of Ecuador: Nutritional composition and protective effect on human dermal fibroblasts against cytotoxic oxidative damage

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Andean blackberries (Rubus glaucus Benth) and Andean blueberries (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth) are wild berries consumed and commercialised by the indigenous people of the Andean regions of Ecuador. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the chemical composition and the ability of A. blackberries and A. blueberries to protect human dermal fibroblast (HDFa) against cytotoxic oxidative damage. METHODS: Total phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanins and tannins content were determined spectrophotometrically, while vitamin C and carotenes were determined by HPLC. Total antioxidant capacity was determined by the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay, the hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and the DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging capacity. HDFa was pre-treated with A. blackberries or A. blueberries crude extract, subjected to a model of oxidative stress using the stressor 2,2’-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and the markers of cell cytotoxic damage (intracellular ROS levels, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione activities, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and ATP and nitrite levels) were determined. RESULTS: A. blueberries showed significantly high values of total phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin, lutein tannin content, whilst A. blackberries showed the highest values of vitamin C and β-carotene. After HDFa was pre-incubated with crude extracts of A. blackberries and A. blueberries, the markers of oxidative damage were significantly improved compared with the stressed cells group. In all cases, crude extract of A. blueberries showed a higher protective effect compared to A. blackberries. CONCLUSION: A. blackberry and A. blueberry attenuated the oxidative damage in HDFa showing that both fruits may represent a relevant source of bioactive compounds with promising benefits for human health.

Pechiche (Vitex cymosa Berteo ex Speng), a Nontraditional Fruit from Ecuador, is a Dietary Source of Phenolic Acids and Nutrient Minerals, in Addition to Efficiently Counteracting the Oxidative-Induced Damage in Human Dermal Fibroblasts

“…The results shown here agree with a large number of reports that have shown the protective effect of the polyphenols present in fruits against free-radical-mediated cell damage [24,44,46]. In particular, the results presented here add to the previous reports that show similar properties in other fruits consumed in Ecuador, such as capulí [5], and wild Andean blackberry and blueberry [4]. Several studies have demonstrated the positive effects of plant bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, in modulating the activity of diverse antioxidant enzymes (GPx GR, GST, SOD and catalase) by reducing the damage induced by AAPH and other different stressors and restoring conditions similar to control levels in HDFa [47][48][49].…”

“…Total carotenoids and vitamin C content in pechiche fruits were analyzed and are shown in Table 1. The pechiche fruits showed low values of carotenoids compared with other Ecuadorian fruits [4][5][6] and tropical fruits from the region [33,34] and based on intake recommendations for carotenoids [35], whereas in the case of vitamin C, the values were within the previously reported range [6,33,34]. Pechiche fruits could be classified within the group of fruits with low vitamin C content (< 30 mg/100 g of FW) according to the classification previously proposed by Ramful et al [36].…”

“…Currently, the search for new sources of bioactive compounds has led to researchers becoming interested in exotic and tropical fruits due to their potential as a source of bioactive compounds and their therapeutic value. In this context, traditional and nontraditional fruits consumed by the populations of South America, such as Ecuador, have been of great interest and have been studied in recent times [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

“…However, at present, studies related to their chemical composition and possible beneficial effect on health are scarce [13]. Recently, some reports have highlighted the composition and potential biological effects of different fruits consumed in Ecuador [4][5][6]8]. However, these studies are still limited given the country's potential and traditional culture, which has used plants and fruits since ancient times for nutritional and medical purposes [14].…”

Changes in the bioactive properties of strawberries caused by the storage in oxygen‐ and carbon dioxide‐enriched atmospheres

“…Andean blackberry and Andean blueberry fruits attenuated the oxidative damage elicited in human dermal HDFa fibroblasts by the stressor 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, suggesting these results promising benefits for the prevention of oxidative damage and skin injury (Alarcón- Barrera et al, 2018). Moreover, the improvement in the fibroblast functionality and, in turn, in the cell migration exerted by extracts prepared from berries such as strawberry and blackberry and from black soybean seed coasts (Nizamutdinova et al, 2009) were associated with the phenolic compounds, specifically with the anthocyanins.…”