Evaluating the Components, Nutrients, and Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Benth Extracts.

BACKGROUND

Benth is commonly utilized in China to take advantage of its purported health benefits.

METHODS

Here, the chemical composition, nutritional value, and bioactivity of Benth extract (CGE) are characterized, and the mechanisms through which it functions were explored.

RESULTS

CGE was found to exhibit a favorable nutritional and biosafety profile, especially due to its high amino acid and mineral contents. A UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS approach identified 20 compounds. Through network pharmacology analyses, the antioxidant activity of CGE was found to be mediated through the PI3K/Akt pathway, with molecular docking results providing support for mussaenoside and azafrin as important bioactive compounds. At the cellular level, antioxidant activity of key protective antioxidants including GSH-Px and SOD while suppressing ROS accumulation, levels of damage-related factors (MDA, NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and iNOS and COX-2 in RAW264.7 cells treated with LPS. These findings offer potential evidence for using CGE to lower oxidative stress and inflammation. Further analyses demonstrated the ability of CGE to promote Nrf2 and HO-1 upregulation, whereas Keap1 levels were suppressed, as were PI3K/Akt/NF-κB proteins. In light of these results, CGE appears to be able to act via simultaneously enhancing Nrf2/HO-1 activity and reducing that of PI3K/Akt/NF-κB.

CONCLUSIONS

CGE, as a rich source of iridoid glycosides and other nutrients, may thus be a valuable dietary supplement for use in food applications.