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Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are cultivated worldwide and are among the best dietary sources of bioactive compounds with beneficial health effects. This study aimed to investigate the components of Peruvian blueberry using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI–QTOF–MS/MS), identifying 11 compounds. Furthermore, we assessed in vitro the antioxidant activity and in vivo the antidepressant effect using a rat model and protective effect on lipid peroxidation (in the serum, brain, liver, and stomach). We also conducted molecular docking simulations with proteins involved in oxidative stress and depression for the identified compounds. Antioxidant activity was assessed by measuring total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazin (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid (ABTS•+), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Peruvian blueberries demonstrated higher antioxidant activity than Vaccinium corymbosum fruits from Chile, Brazil, the United States, Turkey, Portugal, and China. The results showed that oral administration of Peruvian blueberries (10 and 20 mg/kg) for 28 days significantly (p < 0.001) increased swimming and reduced immobility in the forced swimming test (FST). Additionally, at doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg, oxidative stress was reduced in vivo (p < 0.001) by decreasing lipid peroxidation in brain, liver, stomach, and serum. Molecular docking and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) predictions were performed. In the molecular docking studies, quercitrin and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid showed the best docking scores for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, superoxide dismutase, and xanthine oxidase; while 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid methyl ester and caffeoyl coumaroylquinic acid had the best docking scores for monoamine oxidase and serotonin receptor 5-HT2. In summary, our results suggest that the antidepressant and protective effects against lipid peroxidation might be related to the antioxidant activity of Peruvian Vaccinium corymbosum L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chuquiraga weberbaueri “amaro” (Asteraceae) is a plant species popularly used for the treatment of animal fasciolosis in Peru. However, biological and chemical studies of this species remain scarce. Hence, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the anthelmintic effect of the hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts of C. weberbaueri leaves on Fasciola hepatica, through a controlled and a therapeutic efficacy test in artificially infected sheep. In addition, the chemical composition of the extracts was evaluated using phytochemical screening and analysis by UHPLC-MS/MS. Among the evaluated extracts, the aqueous extract proved to be the most efficient and of low toxicity against F. hepatica, inhibiting about 70% of its oviposition, using a 100 mg/kg dose. The chemical study showed that the major constituents were phenolic derivatives, such as chlorogenic acid and ethyl caffeate, with the notable presence of flavonoids, saponins, and lactones. Therefore, it was possible to observe the antihelmintic effect of the C. weberbaueri on the F. hepatica, which suggests the use of this plant extract as a potential alternative in the sheep fasciolosis treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]