Phenolic Compounds and Pharmacological Potential of <em>Lavandula angustifolia</em> Extracts for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases

The search for neuroprotective compounds in lavender is driven by its traditional use for brain health, with antioxidant activity serving as a key mechanism in reducing oxidative stress and supporting cognitive function. Lavender’s potential to protect neurons is based on its calming, anti-stress pr...

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Main Authors: Olha Mykhailenko, Viktoriia Hurina, Nataliia Herbina, Yuliia Maslii, Liudas Ivanauskas, Inna Vladymyrova, Dmytro Lytkin, Zigmantas Gudžinskas, Hanna Severina, Olena Ruban, Victoriya Georgiyants
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/2/289
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author Olha Mykhailenko
Viktoriia Hurina
Nataliia Herbina
Yuliia Maslii
Liudas Ivanauskas
Inna Vladymyrova
Dmytro Lytkin
Zigmantas Gudžinskas
Hanna Severina
Olena Ruban
Victoriya Georgiyants
author_facet Olha Mykhailenko
Viktoriia Hurina
Nataliia Herbina
Yuliia Maslii
Liudas Ivanauskas
Inna Vladymyrova
Dmytro Lytkin
Zigmantas Gudžinskas
Hanna Severina
Olena Ruban
Victoriya Georgiyants
author_sort Olha Mykhailenko
collection DOAJ
description The search for neuroprotective compounds in lavender is driven by its traditional use for brain health, with antioxidant activity serving as a key mechanism in reducing oxidative stress and supporting cognitive function. Lavender’s potential to protect neurons is based on its calming, anti-stress properties, which increase the brain’s resistance to neurodegeneration. Although lavender is not a traditional medicinal plant in Ukraine, it is increasingly recognised for its medicinal properties and is widely cultivated in the country. Lavender use in Ukraine is influenced by both global herbal practices and local medical traditions. The aim of this study was to optimise the preparation of lavender herb extracts, perform chemical profiling and evaluate their antioxidant and neuroprotective activities. The study focused on <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> cultivated in Lviv, Ukraine. Modern analytical methods were used, including HPLC, spectrophotometry, molecular docking, lyophilisation and pharmacological testing. The selection of the optimal conditions for obtaining lavender herb extracts was determined on the basis of the results of the total yield of phenolic compounds in each extract, where it was found that the raw material–solvent ratio (1:10) in water and 50% ethanol gave the highest yield of substances; the preferred extraction time was 20 min, and the temperature was 60–70 °C, especially for water extraction. Further HPLC analysis identified marker compounds including rosmarinic acid (28.31 mg/g), chlorogenic acid (1.64 mg/g) and luteolin (0.23 mg/g) in the lyophilised ethanol extract, which were previously recognised as neuroprotective markers by molecular docking. The water extract showed higher antioxidant (total 50.85 mg/g) and neuroprotective activity, probably due to synergistic interactions among the components. Behavioural tests further demonstrated the neuroprotective potential of lavender herb. These results demonstrate the potential neuroprotective activity of lavender herb and open new possibilities for its use in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases.
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spelling doaj-art-47130b088adc48f8b52e4b38f54772f72025-01-24T13:47:08ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-01-0114228910.3390/plants14020289Phenolic Compounds and Pharmacological Potential of <em>Lavandula angustifolia</em> Extracts for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative DiseasesOlha Mykhailenko0Viktoriia Hurina1Nataliia Herbina2Yuliia Maslii3Liudas Ivanauskas4Inna Vladymyrova5Dmytro Lytkin6Zigmantas Gudžinskas7Hanna Severina8Olena Ruban9Victoriya Georgiyants10Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National University of Pharmacy, 61168 Kharkiv, UkraineDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National University of Pharmacy, 61168 Kharkiv, UkraineDepartment of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, LithuaniaDepartment of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, LithuaniaDepartment of Analytical and Toxicological Chemistry, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, LithuaniaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Institute for Advanced Training of Pharmacy Specialists, National University of Pharmacy, 61001 Kharkiv, UkraineEducational and Scientific Institute of Applied Pharmacy, National University of Pharmacy, 61000 Kharkiv, UkraineNature Research Centre, Institute of Botany, Žaliųjų Ežerų Str. 47, 12200 Vilnius, LithuaniaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National University of Pharmacy, 61168 Kharkiv, UkraineDepartment of Industrial Technology of Medicines and Cosmetics, National University of Pharmacy, 61168 Kharkiv, UkraineDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National University of Pharmacy, 61168 Kharkiv, UkraineThe search for neuroprotective compounds in lavender is driven by its traditional use for brain health, with antioxidant activity serving as a key mechanism in reducing oxidative stress and supporting cognitive function. Lavender’s potential to protect neurons is based on its calming, anti-stress properties, which increase the brain’s resistance to neurodegeneration. Although lavender is not a traditional medicinal plant in Ukraine, it is increasingly recognised for its medicinal properties and is widely cultivated in the country. Lavender use in Ukraine is influenced by both global herbal practices and local medical traditions. The aim of this study was to optimise the preparation of lavender herb extracts, perform chemical profiling and evaluate their antioxidant and neuroprotective activities. The study focused on <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> cultivated in Lviv, Ukraine. Modern analytical methods were used, including HPLC, spectrophotometry, molecular docking, lyophilisation and pharmacological testing. The selection of the optimal conditions for obtaining lavender herb extracts was determined on the basis of the results of the total yield of phenolic compounds in each extract, where it was found that the raw material–solvent ratio (1:10) in water and 50% ethanol gave the highest yield of substances; the preferred extraction time was 20 min, and the temperature was 60–70 °C, especially for water extraction. Further HPLC analysis identified marker compounds including rosmarinic acid (28.31 mg/g), chlorogenic acid (1.64 mg/g) and luteolin (0.23 mg/g) in the lyophilised ethanol extract, which were previously recognised as neuroprotective markers by molecular docking. The water extract showed higher antioxidant (total 50.85 mg/g) and neuroprotective activity, probably due to synergistic interactions among the components. Behavioural tests further demonstrated the neuroprotective potential of lavender herb. These results demonstrate the potential neuroprotective activity of lavender herb and open new possibilities for its use in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/2/289<i>Lavandula angustifolia</i>ethnopharmacologyextractionlyophilised extractsneurotropic activityphenolic compounds
spellingShingle Olha Mykhailenko
Viktoriia Hurina
Nataliia Herbina
Yuliia Maslii
Liudas Ivanauskas
Inna Vladymyrova
Dmytro Lytkin
Zigmantas Gudžinskas
Hanna Severina
Olena Ruban
Victoriya Georgiyants
Phenolic Compounds and Pharmacological Potential of <em>Lavandula angustifolia</em> Extracts for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Plants
<i>Lavandula angustifolia</i>
ethnopharmacology
extraction
lyophilised extracts
neurotropic activity
phenolic compounds
title Phenolic Compounds and Pharmacological Potential of <em>Lavandula angustifolia</em> Extracts for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
title_full Phenolic Compounds and Pharmacological Potential of <em>Lavandula angustifolia</em> Extracts for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
title_fullStr Phenolic Compounds and Pharmacological Potential of <em>Lavandula angustifolia</em> Extracts for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
title_full_unstemmed Phenolic Compounds and Pharmacological Potential of <em>Lavandula angustifolia</em> Extracts for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
title_short Phenolic Compounds and Pharmacological Potential of <em>Lavandula angustifolia</em> Extracts for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
title_sort phenolic compounds and pharmacological potential of em lavandula angustifolia em extracts for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
topic <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i>
ethnopharmacology
extraction
lyophilised extracts
neurotropic activity
phenolic compounds
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/2/289
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