Abstract:
Ferroptosis, an iron catalysed programmed cell death initiated by membrane lipid peroxidation (LPO), is implicated in various degenerative diseases. We screened medicinal/food plants and discovered leaf extract of Piper betle (PB), a popular mouth freshener, as a ferroptosis inhibitor. Compared to vehicle, PB suppressed LPO and inhibited ferroptosis triggered by rotenone or RSL3. Mechanistic studies revealed that PB extract is a powerful lipophilic radical trapping antioxidant and an inducer of Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 (NRF2) regulated antioxidant defenses (glutathione/glutathione peroxidase-4 axis). Utilizing diverse free radical systems (hydroxyl, peroxyl, hydroperoxides) and LPO models (serum, LDL), we found that PB extract effectively inhibits LPO by scavenging lipid oxyradicals. LC-HRMS analysis identified hydroxychavicol and polyphenols as the key bioactive constituents in PB extract. In a Drosophila model of rotenone-induced neurotoxicity, PB extract supplementation prevented locomotor deficits and mortality compared to the control diet. In conclusion, PB extract could be developed as a nutraceutical for mitigating ferroptosis-linked disorders.
