The influence of black currant (Ribes nigrum) seed extract on effectiveness of human ceruloplasmin in Fe(II) ions elimination

Abstract

Ions of irons, especially ferrous ions may be harmful for living organisms, because they generate reactive oxygen species like O 2 •- orOH. Probability of the risk rises espe- cially in pathological conditions, in which high level of iron is observed. For this reason scientists try to establish new methods that can support organism in eliminating reactive ferrous ions. Nowadays, attention focuses on substances present in plants, especially polyphenols, whose administration prevents oxidative damages in iron overloading. This new approach requires some research on behavior of plant-derived compounds in human organism, within a system containing other biomolecules involved in iron meta- bolism. The aim of this study has been to investigate the influence of black currant (Ribes nigrum) seed extract, a source of polyphenols, on the activity of ceruloplasmin, an enzyme participating in Fe(II) elimination from blood plasma in human organism. Depletion of Fe(II) caused by ceruloplasmin isolated from healthy blood donors was compared to its de- crease in a system containing both ceruloplasmin and the extract. The results have shown that addition of a particular amount of the extract elevates the effectiveness of cerulopla- smin in eliminating Fe(II) from the sample but only under physiological condition (pH 7.4; T 37°C). In a weak acidic solution, addition of the extract does not lead to any change in Fe(II) concentration.