Exploring In Vitro Immunomodulatory Properties of Moss <i>Atrichum undulatum</i> Extracts

oleh: Tanja Lunić, Marija Rakić, Aneta Sabovljević, Marko Sabovljević, Tamara Filipović, Bojan Božić, Biljana Božić Nedeljković

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2024-05-01

Deskripsi

Bryophytes are rich sources of diverse secondary metabolites with a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antimicrobial effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition of extracts from two different genotypes (Serbian and Hungarian) of the axenic moss <i>Atrichum undulatum</i> and evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of the prepared extracts in vitro. Both genotypes of moss samples were cultivated in vitro and subsequently extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus with methanol or ethyl acetate. The highest concentration of total phenolic compounds was found in the methanolic extract of the Serbian genotype (54.25 mg GAE/g extract), while the ethyl acetate extract of the Hungarian genotype showed the highest concentration of phenolic acids (163.20 mg CAE/extract), flavonoids (35.57 mg QE/extract), and flavonols (2.25 mg QE/extract). The extracts showed anti-neuroinflammatory properties by reducing the production of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and tumor necrosis factor alpha by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglial cells. Moreover, they mitigated the cytotoxic effects of the pro-inflammatory mediators produced by activated microglia on neurons. The data obtained suggest that extracts from <i>A. undulatum</i> moss have promising anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective properties, making them interesting candidates for further research to combat neuroinflammation.