The extraction of effective components and an antioxidant activity study of Tulipa edulis

Plant extracts from natural sources are an excellent choice for food additives and natural antioxidants. In this study, the active components of Tulipa edulis were extracted and analysed, and their antioxidant capacity was measured. Then, the crude extract mixture was separated and purified using a Sephadex LH-20 gel, and the antioxidant activity of the purified products was determined. Human umbilical vein endothelial human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cells were treated with 35 mmol/L glucose to construct a model of oxidative stress. Then, the cells were treated with the active component to observe whether the products of T. edulis could have a good protective effect on HUVEC cells induced by glucose. Transcriptome analysis was also performed on HUVEC cells after same treatment to explore the possible mechanism of the component F2 protecting HUVEC cells from oxidative stress induced by high glucose. The results showed that component F2 obtained from T. edulis has strong antioxidant activity. Moreover, F2 can play a strong antioxidant protective role in HUVEC cells. Meanwhile, the gene expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), γ-glutamyl cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) in HUVEC cells was up-regulated after treated with F2. This study provides reference value for the further development and application of T. edulis and the development of functional food.