Protective effects of beet (Beta vulgaris) leaves extract against oxidative stress in endothelial cells in vitro

Author(s)

Salvino da Silva, Luiz Guilherme ^[1] ; Morelli, Ana Paula ^[1] ; Betim Pavan, Isadora Carolina ^[1] ; Tavares, Mariana Rosolen ^[1] ; Pestana, Nathalie Fortes ^[1] ; Rostagno, Mauricio Ariel ^[1] ; Simabuco, Fernando Moreira ^[1] ; Neves Bezerra, Rosangela Maria ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Sch Appl Sci, Multidisciplinary Lab Food & Hlth, LabMAS, FCA, R Pedro Zaccaria 1300, BR-13484350 Limeira, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Phytotherapy Research; v. 34, n. 6 JAN 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Beetroot is an herb used worldwide as a food product, raw material for food industry, ethanol production and source of food coloring. Beet leaves are an unconventional food with antioxidant properties, which might neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) present in dyslipidemias. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of beet leaves on the suppression of LDL oxidative processes. Beet leaves extract was produced, characterized, and tested for its antioxidant capacity using endothelial cells in vitro. A model of human umbilical vein endothelial cells was used in various tests, including viability assay, molecular analysis of antioxidant genes, ROS labeling, and macrophage adhesion assay. The extract improved the antioxidative protection of endothelial cells against different agents including oxidized LDL-cholesterol and H2O2. It acted on ROS directly due to its high content of natural antioxidants, but also due to the activation and improvement of cellular defenses such as Superoxide dismutase 1, Superoxide dismutase 2, and catalase. The inhibition of LDL-mediated oxidative effects on endothelial cells may turn this unconventional food a functional food with great potential for phytotherapy of atherosclerosis as an adjuvant for medicinal treatments. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/06457-0 - Leaves and stalks of beet (Beta vulgaris L.): characterization and effects of the antioxidant capacity in obese and dyslipidemic
• Grantee: Rosângela Maria Neves Bezerra
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/13558-7 - Molecular characterization of S6Ks in obesity and its associated diseases
• Grantee: Fernando Moreira Simabuco
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/04304-4 - Development of integrated systems for the analysis of bioactive compounds in natural products employing supercritical technology
• Grantee: Maurício Ariel Rostagno
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/14818-9 - Study of molecular targets important for the control of cancer metabolism: the mTOR/S6K pathway as a central role
• Grantee: Fernando Moreira Simabuco
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants - Phase 2