Centro de Biologia Molecular e Ambiental - UID/04050/2025

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Persistence of antioxidant, antimutagenic, and antigenotoxic properties of Polygonum maritimum L. extract after in vitro digestion supports its high potential as a functional food ingredient

Publication . Oliveira, Daniela; Hayrapetyan, Ruzanna; Dias, Maria Inês; Rodrigues, Maria João; Correa, Vanesa Gesser; Carvalho, António Paulo; Corre, Ludovic Le; Séverin, Isabelle; Peralta, Rosane Marina; Santos, Miguel Machado; Custódio, Luísa; Chagnon, Marie-Christine; Oliveira, Rui

Continuous exposure to xenobiotic-contaminated food causes adverse effects that may lead to health complications, including cancer. Halophytes are rich in polyphenols that exhibit notable biological properties and may contribute to cancer prevention. However, digestion can modify the chemical structure of polyphenols, potentially reducing their biological properties. This study investigated the protective effects of a polyphenol-rich extract from the halophyte Polygonum maritimum L. (PME) against contaminants-induced toxicity and assessed the persistence of these properties following in vitro digestion. LC-DAD-ESI/MSn analysis revealed that the phenolic composition of PME decreased considerably after digestion. Nevertheless, the antioxidant activity of PME, measured as a decrease in reactive oxygen species levels in H2O2-challenged HepG2 cells, persisted post-digestion. The extract showed enhanced anti-inflammatory activity after digestion, as shown by the ability to reduce (NO)-N-center dot production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The antigenotoxicity of PME against the contaminant benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in Caco-2 and HepG2 cells remained significant following upper gastrointestinal tract digestion (DPME), whereas the antigenotoxicity against H2O2 only persisted in Caco-2 cells. After colonic fermentation (FPME), antigenotoxicity was observed against H2O2 in HepG2 cells. PME also displayed antimutagenicity towards BaP in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains, which remained relevant in DPME, but was drastically reduced in FPME. Furthermore, Danio rerio fed with PME and BaP showed reduced negative effects in terms of size and lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that PME can protect against contaminants-induced toxicity along the gastrointestinal tract, maintaining bioactivity until colonic fermentation. Thus, PME can be a promising functional food ingredient for health improvement.

2026Artigo científico

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Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Programa de financiamento

Avaliação UID 2023/2024

Número da atribuição

UID/04050/2025