Potential Activity of Abrantes Pollen Extract: Biochemical and Cellular Model Studies

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Pharmacology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Bee pollen is a natural product rich in bioactive compounds.
• Oxidative stress and metabolic disorders are significant health concerns.
• Understanding the phytochemical and biological properties of regional bee pollen is valuable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the phytochemical composition of bee pollen from Abrantes, Portugal.
• To evaluate its antioxidant, antidiabetic, and erythrocyte-protective activities.
• To assess its safety profile on human cell lines.

Main Methods:

• Phytochemical profiling using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS).
• Assays for radical scavenging capacity (DPPH, nitric oxide, superoxide).
• Inhibition assay for alpha-glucosidase activity.
• Erythrocyte protection assays against oxidative damage.
• Cytotoxicity assessment on NHDF, Caco-2, and HepG2 cell lines.

Main Results:

• Twenty phenolic compounds were identified, with quercetin derivatives being most abundant.
• The pollen extract demonstrated strong antioxidant capacity and significant alpha-glucosidase inhibition.
• Effective protection of human erythrocytes against hemoglobin oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and hemolysis was observed.
• Non-cytotoxic effects were confirmed on tested human cell lines.

Conclusions:

• Abrantes bee pollen possesses significant antioxidant and antidiabetic potential.
• It offers protective effects against erythrocyte oxidative damage.
• The findings support the development of bee pollen into pharmaceutical drugs, nutraceuticals, or dietary supplements.