Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa cv. Romina) methanolic extract attenuates Alzheimer's beta amyloid production and oxidative stress by SKN-1/NRF and DAF-16/FOXO mediated mechanisms in C. elegans.

ABSTRACT

Bioactive compounds from strawberries have been associated with multiple healthy benefits. The present study aimed to assess chemical characterization of a methanolic extract of the Romina strawberry variety in terms of antioxidant capacity, polyphenols profile and chemical elements content. Additionally, potential toxicity, the effect on amyloid-ß production and oxidative stress of the extract was in vivo evaluated in the experimental model Caenorhabditis elegans. Results revealed an important content in phenolic compounds (mainly ellagic acid and pelargonidin-3-glucoside) and minerals (K, Mg, P and Ca). The treatment with 100, 500 or 1000 µg/mL of strawberry extract did not show toxicity. On the contrary, the extract was able to delay amyloid ß-protein induced paralysis, reduced amyloid-ß aggregation and prevented oxidative stress. The potential molecular mechanisms present behind the observed results explored by RNAi technology revealed that DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/NRF2 signaling pathways were, at least partially, involved.