Caucasian Blueberry: Comparative Study of Phenolic Compounds and Neuroprotective and Antioxidant Potential of Vaccinium myrtillus and Vaccinium arctostaphylos Leaves

Abstract

(1) Background: Two Caucasian blueberries Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. are famous berry bushes growing in the Caucasus region and used to treat neurological diseases, but the chemistry and bioactivity of leaf extracts are still poorly studied. (2) Methods: Phenolic compounds of V. myrtillus and V. arctostaphylos leaf extracts were profiled and quantified by HPLC–PDA–ESI–tQ–MS. The neurotropic potential of Vaccinium extracts was studied using the model of middle cerebral artery permanent occlusion to determine cerebral blood flow, the area of the brain tissue necrosis, and antioxidant enzyme activity (including superoxide dismutase, succinate dehydrogenase, and cytochrome C oxidase), as well as the concentration of TBARS. (3) Results: Hydroxycinnamates and flavonoids were identified in the leaves of V. myrtillus and V. arctostaphylos, and the dominant metabolite of both extracts was 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid in the amount of 105–226 mg/g. The studied extracts enhanced the cerebral hemodynamics and decreased the frequency of necrotic and lipooxidative processes in the brain tissue, accompanied by an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The positive effect of V. arctostaphylos was stronger and exceeded the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba standardized extract. (4) Conclusion: The leaf extracts of Caucasian blueberries V. myrtillus and V. arctostaphylos as a new source of hydroxycinnamates demonstrated a protective effect of the brain ischemia pathology and can be used as therapeutic agents to treat neurological diseases.