Protective Effects of Extracts from Green Leaves and Rhizomes of <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> (L.) Delile on an In Vitro Model of the Human Blood–Brain Barrier

<i>Posidonia oceanica</i> (L.) Delile, a Mediterranean seagrass, is rich in bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory potential. While marine-derived molecules are increasingly studied, their direct effects on blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity under inflammatory conditions remain larg...

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Main Authors: Giulia Abruscato, Manuela Mauro, Marie-Christine Boucau, Vincenzo Arizza, Mirella Vazzana, Lucie Dehouck, Fabien Gosselet, Claudio Luparello, Pietra Candela
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/6/699
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author Giulia Abruscato
Manuela Mauro
Marie-Christine Boucau
Vincenzo Arizza
Mirella Vazzana
Lucie Dehouck
Fabien Gosselet
Claudio Luparello
Pietra Candela
author_facet Giulia Abruscato
Manuela Mauro
Marie-Christine Boucau
Vincenzo Arizza
Mirella Vazzana
Lucie Dehouck
Fabien Gosselet
Claudio Luparello
Pietra Candela
author_sort Giulia Abruscato
collection DOAJ
description <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> (L.) Delile, a Mediterranean seagrass, is rich in bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory potential. While marine-derived molecules are increasingly studied, their direct effects on blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity under inflammatory conditions remain largely unexplored. This study evaluated the ability of aqueous extracts from its green leaves (GLEs) and rhizomes (REs) to protect the BBB using a human in vitro model consisting of brain-like endothelial cells co-cultured with brain pericytes. The model was exposed to TNFα, with or without GLEs or REs. We assessed NO production, endothelial permeability, expression of IL-6, NLRP3, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, CLAUDIN-5, and VE-CADHERIN, and the localization of junctional proteins. TNFα increased NO and IL-6 release, upregulated ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and NLRP3, and impaired BBB integrity by altering junctional protein levels and distribution. Co-treatment with GLEs or REs reduced the production of NO, the expression of NLRP3 and adhesion molecules and restored tight and adherens junction integrity. IL-6 levels remained unaffected. These findings suggest that <i>P. oceanica</i>’s extracts may help preserve BBB function and mitigate inflammation-induced damage. While further studies are needed to assess their bioavailability and in vivo efficacy, these natural compounds represent promising candidates for developing preventive strategies against neuroinflammatory disorders.
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spelling doaj-art-63f53691c4114bb8bebd5381f37ba39d2025-08-20T03:26:49ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372025-06-0114669910.3390/biology14060699Protective Effects of Extracts from Green Leaves and Rhizomes of <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> (L.) Delile on an In Vitro Model of the Human Blood–Brain BarrierGiulia Abruscato0Manuela Mauro1Marie-Christine Boucau2Vincenzo Arizza3Mirella Vazzana4Lucie Dehouck5Fabien Gosselet6Claudio Luparello7Pietra Candela8Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, 90128 Palermo, ItalyDipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, 90128 Palermo, ItalyLaboratoire de la Barrière Hémato-Encéphalique (LBHE), UR 2465, Université d’Artois, F-62300 Lens, FranceDipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, 90128 Palermo, ItalyDipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, 90128 Palermo, ItalyLaboratoire de la Barrière Hémato-Encéphalique (LBHE), UR 2465, Université d’Artois, F-62300 Lens, FranceLaboratoire de la Barrière Hémato-Encéphalique (LBHE), UR 2465, Université d’Artois, F-62300 Lens, FranceDipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, 90128 Palermo, ItalyLaboratoire de la Barrière Hémato-Encéphalique (LBHE), UR 2465, Université d’Artois, F-62300 Lens, France<i>Posidonia oceanica</i> (L.) Delile, a Mediterranean seagrass, is rich in bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory potential. While marine-derived molecules are increasingly studied, their direct effects on blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity under inflammatory conditions remain largely unexplored. This study evaluated the ability of aqueous extracts from its green leaves (GLEs) and rhizomes (REs) to protect the BBB using a human in vitro model consisting of brain-like endothelial cells co-cultured with brain pericytes. The model was exposed to TNFα, with or without GLEs or REs. We assessed NO production, endothelial permeability, expression of IL-6, NLRP3, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, CLAUDIN-5, and VE-CADHERIN, and the localization of junctional proteins. TNFα increased NO and IL-6 release, upregulated ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and NLRP3, and impaired BBB integrity by altering junctional protein levels and distribution. Co-treatment with GLEs or REs reduced the production of NO, the expression of NLRP3 and adhesion molecules and restored tight and adherens junction integrity. IL-6 levels remained unaffected. These findings suggest that <i>P. oceanica</i>’s extracts may help preserve BBB function and mitigate inflammation-induced damage. While further studies are needed to assess their bioavailability and in vivo efficacy, these natural compounds represent promising candidates for developing preventive strategies against neuroinflammatory disorders.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/6/699seagrassblood–brain barrierVCAM-1ICAM-1NLRP3tight junctions
spellingShingle Giulia Abruscato
Manuela Mauro
Marie-Christine Boucau
Vincenzo Arizza
Mirella Vazzana
Lucie Dehouck
Fabien Gosselet
Claudio Luparello
Pietra Candela
Protective Effects of Extracts from Green Leaves and Rhizomes of <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> (L.) Delile on an In Vitro Model of the Human Blood–Brain Barrier
Biology
seagrass
blood–brain barrier
VCAM-1
ICAM-1
NLRP3
tight junctions
title Protective Effects of Extracts from Green Leaves and Rhizomes of <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> (L.) Delile on an In Vitro Model of the Human Blood–Brain Barrier
title_full Protective Effects of Extracts from Green Leaves and Rhizomes of <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> (L.) Delile on an In Vitro Model of the Human Blood–Brain Barrier
title_fullStr Protective Effects of Extracts from Green Leaves and Rhizomes of <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> (L.) Delile on an In Vitro Model of the Human Blood–Brain Barrier
title_full_unstemmed Protective Effects of Extracts from Green Leaves and Rhizomes of <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> (L.) Delile on an In Vitro Model of the Human Blood–Brain Barrier
title_short Protective Effects of Extracts from Green Leaves and Rhizomes of <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> (L.) Delile on an In Vitro Model of the Human Blood–Brain Barrier
title_sort protective effects of extracts from green leaves and rhizomes of i posidonia oceanica i l delile on an in vitro model of the human blood brain barrier
topic seagrass
blood–brain barrier
VCAM-1
ICAM-1
NLRP3
tight junctions
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/6/699
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