Abstract
Lingonberries contain high contents of bioactive compounds such as chlorogenic acids and anthocyanins. In addition to radical scavenging and antioxidant activities, these compounds can protect cells from DNA damage. For this reason, lingonberries might be well suited for nutraceuticals or natural biomedicines. To assess these applications, the present study characterized and identified the most effective extract, only consisting of anthocyanins, copigments or a mixture of both, obtained from a lingonberry juice concentrate. An extract was generated by using a XAD-7 column followed by fractionation into anthocyanins and copigments using adsorptive membrane chromatography. After identification of main polyphenols by HPLC–photodiode array–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry, free radical scavenging activity was analyzed by electron spin resonance spectroscopy using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and galvinoxyl radicals. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetry analyses and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay were applied. Finally, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) reducing effects of the lingonberry extract and its fractions were evaluated in HepG2 cells. While the combination of anthocyanins and copigments possessed the highest antioxidant activities, all samples (XAD-7 extract, anthocyanin and copigment fraction) protected cells from oxidative stress. Thus, synergistic effects between phenolic compounds may be responsible for the high antioxidant potential of lingonberries, enabling their use as nutraceuticals.
Highlights
Human cells are constantly exposed to compounds and molecules threatening their viability
41.0 g of a XAD-7 extract were obtained from 1.2 kg lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) juice concentrate (JC), which was further separated into anthocyanins and copigments by adsorptive membrane chromatography
In lingonberry JC, copigment fraction (CF) is the most abundant fraction followed by anthocyanin fraction (AF) and a polymeric fraction (PF), which is comparable to other red fruits
Summary
Human cells are constantly exposed to compounds and molecules threatening their viability. Antioxidants 2022, 11, 467 inducing up to 100,000 lesions per hour in exposed cells [2], contribute significantly to DNA damage in human tissues. It is well known that fruits and fruit juices are rich in natural antioxidants, e.g., phenolic compounds, which possess several health improving effects, such as radical scavenging activities or the prevention of DNA damage [4–8]. Due to these bioactive phenolic compounds, berries have been recognized as a “superfood” [9], while lingonberries possess one of the highest phenolic contents compared to other berries [10]. Similar results for the content of phenolic compounds were documented by Vyas et al, (2013) [13], showing higher contents of total phenolics, anthocyanins and flavonols for lingonberries compared to blueberries
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