Flavonols, alkaloids, and antioxidant capacity of edible wild berberis species from patagonia.

There are 20 species of the Berberidaceae family described in Chile, whose fruits are edible and show high anthocyanin and hydroxycinnamic acid levels. Berberis microphylla G. Forst, commonly known as calafate, is the most extensively distributed. Flavonols and alkaloids in seed, pulp, skin, and whole calafate berry extracts and other Berberis were studied using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS and HPLC with fluorescence detector. Berry samples from different locations in Chilean Patagonia, including different phenological stages, were systematically addressed. Results were compared with other organs of the plant and with other Berberis species. Total flavonol concentration in calafate (n = 65) was 1.33 ± 0.54 µmol/g. Glycosyl metabolites of quercetin and isorhamnetin were the most abundant. Similar profiles were observed in calafate from distinct locations, but important differences were observed for the other edible Berberis species. Calafate pulp and skin have higher flavonol concentrations than seeds, and the maturation process reduced its levels. TEACCUPRAC and TEACABTS of whole calafate extracts and fractions are also explored. Finally, only berberine was detected in the fruit (0.001%), mainly in seeds. Results contribute to the promotion of this berry as a superfruit from Patagonia.

Stimulation of cytosolic and mitochondrial calcium mobilization by indomethacin in Caco-2 cells: modulation by the polyphenols quercetin, resveratrol and rutin.

BACKGROUND: The effect of indomethacin (INDO) on Ca(2+) mobilization, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and caspase activation and the potential protective effect of quercetin (QUE), resveratrol (RES) and rutin (RUT) were determined in Caco-2 cells. METHODS: Caco-2 cells were incubated with INDO in the presence or absence of QUE, RES or RUT. The concentrations of Ca(2+) in the cytosol (Fluo-3 AM) and mitochondria (Rhod-2 AM) were determined as well as the cytotoxicity (MTT reduction and LDH leakage), apoptosis (TUNEL) and caspase-3 and 9 activities. RESULTS: INDO promoted Ca(2+) efflux from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), resulting in an early, but transient, increment of cytosolic Ca(2+) at 3.5min, followed by a subsequent increment of intra-mitochondrial Ca(2+) at 24min. INDO also induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and increased caspase activities and cytochrome c release. All these alterations were prevented by the inhibitors of the IP3R and RyR receptors, 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) and dantrolene. QUE was the most efficient polyphenol in preventing Ca(2+) mobilization induced by INDO and all of its consequences including cytotoxicity and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: In Caco-2 cells, INDO stimulates ER Ca(2+) mobilization, probably through the activation of IP3R and RyR receptors, and the subsequent entry of Ca(2+) into the mitochondria. Polyphenols protected the cells against the Ca(2+) mobilization induced by INDO and its consequences on cytotoxicity and apoptosis. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results confirm the possibility of using polyphenols and particularly QUE for the protection of the gastroduodenal mucosa in subjects consuming NSAIDs.