Neuroprotective effects of Flaveria bidentis and Lippia salsa extracts on SH-SY5Y cells

Abstract

Halophyte plants have to survive in a hostile environment by developing adaptive responses. One of these strategies is the production of several protective molecules which make these plants an interesting source of bioactive compounds. Significant acetylcholinesterase inhibition was observed for ethanolic extracts obtained from Lippia salsa Griseb. (Verbenaceae) and Flaveria bidentis (L.) Kuntze (Asteraceae), two plants that are widely distributed in the salt marsh Salitral de la Vidriera. These results encouraged us to further study the active constituents and the potential neuroprotective properties of these plants. The flavonoids luteolin (1) and apigenin (2) were identified as the active components of L. salsa, while 6-methoxykaempferol-3-sulfate (3) was obtained from F. bidentis. In addition, we investigated the cytotoxicity, cellular protection against K+-depolarization and antioxidant activity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells for these extracts and compound 3. Results demonstrated that beyond acting as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, they also exhibited neuroprotective effects against KCl-induced-Ca2 + overload and oxidative stress.