Identification, screening and experimental approbation of the biological activity of Vaccinium praestans Lamb. fruit extract

Early manifestation of age‑associated diseases is linked to pathological free radical formation and the development of chronic oxidative stress. Vaccinium praestans Lamb (redberry, klopovka) is of practical interest for the prevention of such diseases as a potential source of natural antioxidants.
Purpose of the study. To identify phenolic compounds in V. praestans fruits, screen their potential biological activity, and experimentally determine the antioxidant activity of V. praestans fruit liquid extract in vitro and in vivo.
Materials and methods. The composition of phenolic compounds in the liquid extract of V. praestans fruits was analyzed using high‑performance liquid chromato‑mass‑spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS). Total soluble phenolic compounds were quantified using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Preliminary screening of biological activity of the identified phenolic compounds was performed using the PASS online computational prediction tool. Antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated using the ABTS and FRAP assays. The effect of the extract on the antioxidant defense system of rats was assessed by modeling oxidative stress induced by carbon tetrachloride administration.
Results. Ten phenolic compounds were identified in the liquid extract of V. praestans fruits, including quercetin glycosides, catechin, cyanidin glycosides, hydroxycinnamic acids, and their derivatives. The total phenolic content in the liquid extract of V. praestans fruits was 9.1 ± 0.12 mg‑GAE/mL. Preliminary biological activity screening indicated that the identified phenolic compounds may exhibit antioxidant, anticancer, antihypoxic, and cytoprotective activities. Antiradical activity of the liquid extract was confirmed using ABTS and FRAP assays. In the rat oxidative stress model, administration of the V. praestans liquid extract reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by 20.57 % and increased total antiradical activity (TAA) 1.72‑fold compared with the control group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion. The study expands current knowledge on the chemical composition and pharmacological activity spectrum of V. praestans fruits.

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