Chemical analysis and neurobiological effects of Newfoundland wild blueberries

Debnath-Canning, Michelle (2017) Chemical analysis and neurobiological effects of Newfoundland wild blueberries. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Antioxidants may be beneficial for the treatment of certain neurological diseases since oxidative stress and inflammation are believed to contribute to neurological degenerative disorders. We performed an analysis of the biochemical attributes and neurobiological activity of extracts found in Vaccinium species. Wild blueberries, native to Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), were collected from different locations. Biochemical assays were performed to determine the phenolic content of extracts and antioxidant capacity. To quantify and identify major anthocyanins in extracts, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass-Spectroscopy analysis was performed. Microglial cells isolated from mouse brains were treated with glutamate or α-synuclein to induce inflammatory responses, and treatment with extracts was conducted to assess neuroprotective effects. Results showed that wild blueberry fruits and leaves native to NL are high sources of antioxidants. Leaves have an overall significantly higher level of antioxidants compared to the fruits. Utilizing HPLC-MS, more anthocyanins were identified in blueberry fruit than leaves, but the anthocyanins in leaf extracts were present in higher quantity. Cell culture experiments demonstrated the preventative role blueberry fruits and leaves had on activated microglial cells mimicking conditions in the neurodegenerative conditions. Overall, findings showed that that both fruit and leaf extracts significantly reduced the inflammatory response of brain cells seen in certain neurodegenerative disease.

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