Abstract
In the present study the ability of supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) extracts of M. longifolia L. leaves to modulate low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) expression was evaluated in cultured human hepatoma cell lines Huh7 and HepG2. Two SCO2 extracts, one oil (ML-SCO2) and a semisolid (MW-SCO2), were subjected to detailed chemical characterization by mono- and bidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (1D, 2D-NMR), gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Chemical analysis revealed significant amounts of fatty acids, phytosterols and terpenoids. ML-SCO2 was able to induce LDLR expression at a dose of 60 µg/mL in HuH7 and HepG2 cell lines. Furthermore, ML-SCO2 reduced PCSK9 secretion in a concentration-dependent manner in both cell lines. Piperitone oxide, the most abundant compound of the volatile constituent of ML-SCO2 (27% w/w), was isolated and tested for the same targets, showing a very effective reduction of PCSK9 expression. The overall results revealed the opportunity to obtain a new nutraceutical ingredient with a high amount of phytosterols and terpenoids using the SCO2 extraction of M. longifolia L., a very well-known botanical species used as food. Furthermore, for the first time we report the high activity of piperitone oxide in the reduction of PCSK9 expression.
Highlights
Mentha species are commonly used in food and as traditional herbal medicine all over the world, and many different varieties are considered of high value both for culinary and therapeutic uses
proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) expression is more sensitive to piperitone oxide treatment compared to low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), for comparison purposes, we considered the literature related to the essential oil openingof upM
The extraction of M. longifolia leaves with supercritical fluid made it possible to obtain two different types of extracts, both of which were characterized for their chemical content in terms of fatty acids, phytosterols and terpenoids
Summary
Mentha species are commonly used in food and as traditional herbal medicine all over the world, and many different varieties are considered of high value both for culinary and therapeutic uses. Related to the ethnomedicinal uses, the species is mostly used for treatment of gastrointestinal, respiratory and inflammatory diseases, as well as menstrual pain [1] All these uses are common in different cultures all over the world, indicating the potential medicinal usefulness of its constituents. The possibility of implementing a non-pharmacologically based treatment for hypercholesterolemia is getting increasing attention, and it is considered to be an important preventive action to take when hypercholesterolemia is mild or moderate. Such an opportunity can be valuable when low and/or moderate risk factors for ASCVD development are present, or when the patient shows drug intolerance [8]. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion on the safety of red yeast rice indicates an uncertainty about the definition of a dietary intake that does not give rise to concerns about potential harmful effects [10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
