Chemo-protective activity and characterization of phenolic extracts from Corema album

There is currently substantial interest in the cyto-protective effects of natural compounds against oxidative stress and in studying of the defense mechanisms involved. Corema album fruit is an edible berry consumed along the Atlantic littoral of the Iberian Peninsula. The aim of this study was to characterize the phenolic composition and evaluate the chemo-protective effects against oxidative stress of three phenolic extracts from this fruit on liver cells. Characterization of phenolic compounds, achieved by liquid chromatography and diode-array, mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry detection, showed a main fraction of hydroxycinnamic acids. Liver HepG2 cells were treated with 1-40 mu g/mL of the extracts and exposed to oxidative stress chemically induced. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced glutathione (GSH), antioxidant enzymes and biomarkers of oxidative damage were evaluated. Treatment of HepG2 cells with the extracts partially prevented ROS increase, GSH depletion, antioxidant enzymes over-activity and oxidative damage to proteins and lipids induced by stress. The results support the traditional use of C. album as a medicinal plant and suggest that inclusion of its berries in the diet would contribute to the protection afforded by fruits, vegetables and plant-derived beverages against oxidative stress related diseases. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.