Potential Activity Mechanisms of Aesculus hippocastanum Bark: Antioxidant Effects in Chemical and Biological In Vitro Models

Abstract

The bark of Aesculus hippocastanum is an herbal remedy used in conditions connected with vascular insufficiency; however, there is a lack of data concerning its mechanisms of action. The present work is a preliminary investigation into some of the potential directions of the bark activity. The phytochemically (qualitative UHPLC-PDA-MS/MS and quantitative UHPLC-PDA assays) characterized extract and its four main constituents (esculin, fraxin, (‒)-epicatechin and procyanidin A2) were first evaluated in terms of their antioxidant capacity. All analytes demonstrated dose-dependent scavenging potential towards the most common in vivo oxidants, with particularly advantageous capacity of the extract and its flavan-3-ol constituents against peroxynitrite (3.37–13.26 mmol AA/g), hydroxyl radical (5.03–8.91 mmol AA/g) and superoxide radical (3.50–5.50 mmol AA/g). Moreover, even at low concentrations (1–5 µg/mL), they protected components of human plasma against oxidative damage inflicted by peroxynitrite, preventing oxidation of plasma protein thiols and diminishing the tyrosine nitration and lipid peroxidation. High efficiency of the analytes was also demonstrated in preventing the peroxynitrite-induced nitrative changes of fibrinogen (up to 80% inhibition for (‒)-epicatechin at 50 µg/mL), an important protein of coagulation cascade. Additionally, the extract and its constituents had, at most, moderate inhibitory activity towards platelet aggregation induced by ADP and only negligible influence on clotting times. The results show that, among the investigated properties, the antioxidant activity might, to the highest extent, be responsible for the bark efficacy in vascular disorders, thus supporting its application in those conditions; they also indicate the directions for future research that would allow for better understanding of the bark activity.