Bioactive-rich extracts of persimmon, but not nettle, Sideritis, dill or kale, increase eNOS activation and NO...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Endothelial Function
• Phytochemistry

Background:

• Plant bioactives like polyphenols and glucosinolates show promise in reducing cardiovascular disease risk.
• Traditional Black Sea foods, including dill, nettle, kale, Sideritis, and persimmon, are rich in bioactive compounds.
• The study focused on evaluating the impact of these plant extracts on cellular markers of endothelial function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of traditional Black Sea plant extracts on endothelial function markers.
• To determine if persimmon, dill, nettle, kale, or Sideritis extracts can modulate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation and endothelin-1 (ET-1) secretion.
• To identify specific plant bioactives that may benefit cardiovascular health.

Main Methods:

• Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with extracts from persimmon, dill, nettle, kale, and Sideritis.
• Assays measured Akt and eNOS phosphorylation, nitric oxide metabolites, and ET-1 secretion.
• Effects were compared to a vehicle control after 24 hours of treatment.

Main Results:

• Persimmon extract significantly increased Akt and eNOS phosphorylation and nitric oxide metabolites.
• Persimmon extract significantly decreased ET-1 secretion.
• None of the other plant extracts (dill, nettle, kale, Sideritis) demonstrated significant effects on the measured endothelial function markers.

Conclusions:

• Persimmon fruit contains bioactives that enhance endothelial function.
• These bioactives improve endothelial function by activating eNOS and reducing ET-1 secretion.
• Dill, kale, Sideritis, and nettle extracts did not show significant benefits for endothelial function in this study.