Brosimine B and the biphasic dose-response: insights into hormesis and retinal neuroprotection

Brosimine B and the biphasic dose-response: insights into hormesis and retinal neuroprotection

IntroductionThe biphasic dose-response behavior, also known as hormesis, is a characteristic feature of numerous natural products. It is defined by beneficial effects at low concentrations and toxicity at higher doses. This study investigates the hormetic effects of Brosimine B, a flavonoid derived...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Susanne Suely Santos Fonseca, Natacha M. S. Port’s, Gisele Priscila Soares Aguiar, Eliã P. Botelho, Nádia M. G. Couto, Wandson Braamcamp Souza Pinheiro, André Salim Khayat, Elizabeth S. Yamada, Edmar T. Costa, Chubert Bernardo C. Sena, Mara Silvia P. Arruda, Carlomagno P. Bahia, Antonio Pereira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
Subjects:
oxidative stress
Brosimine b
retinal cell
neuroprotection
hormesis
natural products
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1558726/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:IntroductionThe biphasic dose-response behavior, also known as hormesis, is a characteristic feature of numerous natural products. It is defined by beneficial effects at low concentrations and toxicity at higher doses. This study investigates the hormetic effects of Brosimine B, a flavonoid derived from Brosimum acutifolium, on retinal cell viability under oxidative stress.MethodsTo simulate ischemic conditions, we used an oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model. Retinal cells were treated with varying concentrations of Brosimine B, and analyses of cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and antioxidant enzyme activity were performed.ResultsBrosimine B at 10 µM significantly enhanced cell viability and reduced ROS production, likely through modulation of oxidative stress-protective enzymes such as catalase. However, higher concentrations (>10 µM) induced cytotoxic effects. A computational modeling approach using a hormetic (inverted U-shaped) model revealed biologically interpretable parameters, including a peak response at 10.2 µM and a hormetic zone width (σ = 6.5 µM) (R2 = 0.984).DiscussionThese results confirm that Brosimine B exhibits hormetic neuroprotective effects within a well-defined concentration window, supporting its potential as a therapeutic agent for oxidative stress–related retinal damage. The study highlights the value of computational modeling in optimizing dose–response analyses, offering a framework for refining natural product therapies and predicting toxicological thresholds in pharmacological applications.
ISSN:1663-9812

Similar Items