Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Extracts from Pulsed Electric Field-Treated Artichoke By-Products in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Human THP-1 Macrophages

In this study, pulsed electric field (PEF—3 kV/cm; 5 kJ/kg) pretreatment was used to intensify the extractability of valuable intracellular compounds from artichoke by-products during a subsequent aqueous extraction (solid–liquid ratio = 1:10 g/mL, T = 20 °C; t = 120 min). Total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS) and HPLC–PDA analysis of the artichoke extract (AE) and the biological effects on human cell lines were determined. Chlorogenic acid was found to be the most abundant phenolic compound (53% of the TPC) in the AE. The extract showed good antioxidant properties in a concentration-dependent manner. The potential biological effects of AE were investigated using THP-1 macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as an in vitro model system of oxidative stress. Reduced reactive oxygen species production upon treatment with AE was found. Moreover, AE was able to reduce the secretion of the pro-inflammatory mediators Interleukin-6 and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 in LPS-stimulated macrophages, as determined by qRT-PCR and ELISA assays. These results highlighted the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the extracts from PEF-treated artichoke by-products, corroborating their potential application as a source of functional ingredients obtained through a feasible and sustainable process.