Protective Effects of blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) leaf Extract Against LPS-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Microglial Cells

The presented study focuses on the investigation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Vaccinium myrtillus (VM) extract using in vitro models of murine BV-2 microglial cells, including both wild-type ( Wt ) and Acyl-CoA oxidase 1 deficient ( Acox1 ^−/− ) cell lines. Initial screening using the DPPH radical scavenging assay confirmed the extract’s strong antioxidant capacity, prompting further investigations of its effects on cytotoxicity, peroxisomal enzyme activity, and inflammatory responses in both cell models. Cytotoxicity assessments revealed no adverse effects on cell viability at any tested concentration, indicating the extract’s safety for further biological analysis. Enzymatic activity measurements showed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation led to an approximate 40% reduction in ACOX1 activity, while co-treatment with VM extract restored enzyme activity to baseline levels. Similarly, the LPS-induced increase in catalase activity and expression was significantly attenuated by the extract, suggesting a role in maintaining redox homeostasis. Additionally, the extract also modulated the expression of Abcd1 , a key peroxisomal fatty acyl-CoA transporter, suggesting an impact on peroxisomal function and lipid transport. Furthermore, the VM extract exhibited pronounced anti-inflammatory effects evidenced by the reduction in LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including Tnf-α and Il-1β mRNA expression. These findings underscore the potential of Vaccinium myrtillus extract as a neuroprotective agent capable of mitigating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, possibly through the modulation of peroxisomal metabolism. Future research should explore the underlying molecular mechanisms, particularly those involved in redox regulation and peroxisomal signaling, to fully elucidate its therapeutic potential.