Potencial Antioxidante e Anti-inflamatório do Extrato Nanoencapsulado de Araçá Vermelho (Psidium cattleianum) em Tecido Cerebral e Cultura Primária de Astrócitos

Abstract

Red araca (Psidium cattleianum) stands out for its high content of phenolic compounds, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the low bioavailability and stability of these compounds may limit their biological effectiveness. Nanotechnology emerges as a promising strategy to enhance their efficacy and therapeutic applicability. This study investigated the effects of the free and nanoencapsulated extracts of red strawberry guava on oxidative and inflammatory parameters in rat brain tissue and in primary astrocyte cultures exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Zein coated nanocapsules containing 0%, 30% (100 and 200 µg/mL), and 50% (v/v) (100 and 200 µg/mL) of P. cattleianum extract, as well as the free extract (100 and 200 µg/mL), were evaluated in an in vitro oxidative stress protocol induced by hydrogen peroxide and ferrous sulfate in rat brain tissue In the cell culture protocol, astrocytes were treated with the free extract (100 µg/mL) or the 50% nanoencapsulated extract (100 µg/mL) for 72 hours and exposed to LPS for 3 hours. In these cells, oxidative stress parameters, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were assessed. In the in vitro oxidative stress model, after one hour of incubation, both the free and nanoencapsulated extracts similarly reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels. Regarding nitrite levels, the nanoencapsulated extract was more effective than the free extract. After three hours of incubation, the nanoencapsulated extract showed greater effectiveness in reducing TBARS levels compared to the free extract. In astrocytes, LPS reduced cell viability and IL-10 levels, promoted oxidative damage, and increased AChE activity. Both treatments (free and nanoencapsulated extracts) prevented these alterations, with the nanoencapsulated extract demonstrating greater effectiveness in preventing changes in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, AChE activity, and IL-10 levels. These findings highlight the antioxidant, anti inflammatory, and glioprotective potential of red strawberry guava extract, reinforcing nanotechnology as a promising strategy to enhance the biological activities of bioactive compounds in the context of neuroinflammation