The Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) is an evergreen conifer. It is widespread in various areas of central, southern, and eastern Europe, where, under favorable conditions, it can live up to 600 years. Extracts from the Silver Fir contain various polyphenols, among which lignans are the most represented. With their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, they have a beneficial impact on various health issues. The most researched effects include impacts on the skin, cardiovascular system, gut microbiota, hyperglycemia, and joint cartilage wear. Several traditional methods are known for obtaining extracts from medicinal plants, but modern techniques are also emerging, including subcritical water extraction (SWE). We wanted to check whether different preparations of Silver fir extracts affect the content of lignans, the viability, and migration of HaCaT and Caco-2 cells. Nine extracts obtained with SWE, which differed in preparation procedure and choice of plant part, were lyophilized, dissolved in water or methanol, and their lignan concentration was determined using the HPLC method. The results were compared with two industrially obtained extracts from Silver fir branches with the trade name Belinal®. We found that the method of extract preparation and the choice of plant part affect the concentration of lignans in the extracts. Extracts prepared from branches and bark using the SWE method contained higher concentrations of lignans compared to extracts obtained only from branches.
We prepared appropriate extract solutions and determined the viability of HaCaT and Caco-2 cells using the MTS test. We found that none of the extracts significantly reduced cell viability. With the migration test, we determined whether the preparation method and composition of the extracts affect the closure of gaps in HaCaT and Caco-2 cells. The traditionally prepared extract with water (bark, 70 ␃) alongside the industrial one positively affects the closure of gaps compared to the control on both cell lines. Almost all extracts obtained with the SWE procedure do not have a significant impact on cell migration. Only the extract obtained with SWE (branches and bark; 100 ␃; 100 bar) stands out, which, due to its high polyphenolic composition, noticeably inhibits the migration of cell lines.
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