Effects of Extracts Derived from Roots and Stems of Chelidonium majus L. on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in the Model of Equine Plasma

Abstract

Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L., Papaveraceae) is a perennial herbaceous plant, with an upright and spreading stem, large leaves, and yellow flowers collected on the tops of the stems in rare umbel inflorescence. The main aim of the study was an assessment of the oxidative stress biomarkers [2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonyl derivatives content of protein oxidative modification (OMP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] and also activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, ceruloplasmin) in the equine plasma after treatment by extracts derived from roots and stems of C. majus collected from rural and urban agglomerations. Plant materials were collected from natural habitats on the territory of the Kartuzy district in the Pomeranian province (northern part of Poland). Our results demonstrated that statistically significant reductions in lipid peroxidation byproducts were noted after incubation with extracts derived from roots of C. majus collected from both urban (by 35 %, p <0.05) and rural (by 34 %, p <0.05) agglomerations compared to the control samples. Stem extracts derived from C. majus also reduced TBARS levels, but only extracts derived from C. majus were collected from the rural areas; a statistically significant decrease (by 21 %, p <0.05) was observed compared to the control samples. The lowest values in the content of the aldehydic derivatives of OMP were observed after incubation with extracts derived from roots of C. majus collected from both rural and urban areas. On the other hand, levels of ketonic derivatives of OMP were significantly increased after incubation with extracts derived from stems of C. majus collected from both rural and urban areas compared to the control samples, in contrast to extracts derived from roots of C. majus collected from urban areas, where there was a statistically significant reduction in ketonic derivatives of OMP (by 15 %, p<0.05) compared to the control samples. A significant increase in the TAC levels was observed after incubation with root and stem extracts of C. majus collected from both urban and rural areas, but the highest values were observed after incubation with extracts derived from roots of C. majus collected from rural areas (by 66.7 %, p <0.05) compared to the control samples. Stem extracts of C. majus collected from urban agglomerations were found to be most effective in increasing catalase activity (by 115 %, p <0.05). Both root and stem extracts of C. majus collected from rural areas caused a statistically significant reduction in ceruloplasmin levels. These in vitro studies indicate that extracts from this plant are a significant source of natural antioxidants that could prevent the progression of various disorders caused by oxidative stress. However, the proportions of secondary metabolites responsible for the antioxidant activity of C. majus extracts are currently unclear. Therefore, further studies are needed to isolate and identify the antioxidant compounds present in the plant extracts. Screening of C. majus plant for other biological activities including antioxidant activities is essential and may be effective for searching the preventive agents in the pathogenesis of some metabolic diseases.