Borassus flabellifer haustorium extract prevents pro-oxidant mediated cell death and LPS-induced inflammation

Abstract

Borassus flabellifer L., belonging to the Arecaceae family, is less explored for its nutritional and biological properties. The plant parts such as the tender kernel, tender water, Borassus flabellifer sap, and haustorium are consumed by various communities in India. The present study first time analyzed the cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of Borassus flabellifer haustorium extract (BHE). The protective effect of BHE was estimated in the normal intestinal epithelial cell (IEC-6) against the pro-oxidant insults induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Further, the change in redox status was estimated in terms of antioxidant enzyme activities or the oxidative stress markers. The anti-inflammatory potential of BHE was analyzed in macrophage cells (Raw 264.7) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). BHE had a total polyphenols and flavonoids content of 37.92 ± 4.03 mg GAE and 7.02 ± 0.61 mg QE. The pretreatment with BHE has significantly reduced the cytotoxic effect of H₂O₂ and MDA (p < 0.01) in IEC-6 cells; restoration of cellular glutathione levels and catalase activity (p < 0.05), with a concomitant reduction in the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and conjugated dienes (p < 0.05) maybe the plausible mode of action. Further, H₂O₂ and MDA induced expression of apoptotic genes caspase 3/7 and apaf-1 was significantly reduced by BHE pretreatment (p < 0.05). Similarly, BHE dose-dependently reduced the LPS (1 µg/mL) induced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in Raw 264.7 cells. The study concludes that Borassus flabellifer haustorium can be an efficient antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functional food.

Keywords:

• Borassus flabellifer L.
• cytoprotective effect
• anti-inflammatory activity
• antioxidant
• polyphenol content

Acknowledgements

AN and JTJ are thankful to Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) for the financial support as minor research project (A1/SJC/RUSA-SPD/MRP/60/2019). DM, NCH, DP and AN received financial support as Students Project Scheme from Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (Letter No. 01519/SPS64/2019/KSCSTE and 01476/SPS64/2019/KSCSTE Dt: 16.01.2020).

Disclosure statement

The authors express no conflict of interest in the current study.

Additional information

Funding

The study was funded by Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) under the student Project Scheme (Letter No. 01519/SPS64/2019/KSCSTE and 01476/SPS64/2019/KSCSTE). Partial funding was also obtained under Minor Project Scheme by Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), Govt. of India (File No. A1/SJC/RUSA-SPD/MRP/60/2019).