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Antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities of Ginkgo biloba L. leaf extract are retained after in vitro gastrointestinal digestive conditions

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Abstract

Purpose

The recognized biological properties of Ginkgo biloba extracts potentiate their utilization as an ingredient for functional foods. However, the digestive conditions can affect the chemical composition of the extracts and consequently their biological properties, which can lead to food safety problems. Thus, the impact of in vitro-simulated upper gastrointestinal tract digestion on the chemical composition and bioactivity of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GBE) was evaluated.

Methods

Physicochemical conditions of human digestion were simulated in vitro, and its impact on the chemical composition of GBE was investigated by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. The persistence of bioactivity was investigated by subjecting GBE and the in vitro digested extract (DGBE) to the same methodology. Antioxidant properties were assessed using 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate to measure the intracellular oxidation of Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells pre-incubated with GBE or DGBE and exposed to H2O2. Antigenotoxicity was tested by comet assay in HT-29 colon cancer cells pre-incubated with GBE or DGBE and challenged with H2O2.

Results

The chemical analysis revealed a considerable change in chemical composition upon digestion. Pre-incubation with GBE or DGBE attenuated the H2O2-imposed intracellular oxidation in wild-type S. pombe cells, unlike the oxidative stress response-affected mutants sty1 and pap1, and decreased H2O2-induced DNA damage in HT-29 cells. The extracts did not induce toxicity in these eukaryotic models.

Conclusion

The chemical composition of GBE was affected by in vitro digestion, but the antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities persisted. Therefore, G. biloba extract may be suitable for use as food additive and contribute to a healthy colon.

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Abbreviations

DGBE:

In vitro digested Ginkgo biloba leaf extract

GAE:

Gallic acid equivalents

GBE:

Ginkgo biloba leaf extract

H2DCFDA:

2′,7′-Dichlorofluorescein diacetate

MS:

Mass spectrometry

MTT:

3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide

Na2EDTA:

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, disodium salt

PBS:

Phosphate-buffered saline

PI:

Propidium iodide

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

TPC:

Total phenolic content

TRIS:

2-Amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by European Investment Funds by FEDER/COMPETE/POCI—Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Programme, under Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006958 and National Funds by FCT—Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the project UID/AGR/04033/2019. This work has also been funded by national funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia for Centre of Chemistry (UID/QUI/00686/2013 and UID/QUI/0686/2016).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal

    Daniela Oliveira & Rui Oliveira

  2. Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health, Centre for Molecular Biosciences, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, BT52 1SA, UK

    Cheryl Latimer & Chris I. R. Gill

  3. Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal

    Pier Parpot

  4. Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal

    Pier Parpot & Rui Oliveira

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  1. Daniela Oliveira
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Correspondence to Rui Oliveira.

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Oliveira, D., Latimer, C., Parpot, P. et al. Antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities of Ginkgo biloba L. leaf extract are retained after in vitro gastrointestinal digestive conditions. Eur J Nutr 59, 465–476 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-019-01915-8

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