Caucasian Blueberry: Comparative Study of Phenolic Compounds and Neuroprotective and Antioxidant Potential of Vaccinium myrtillus and Vaccinium arctostaphylos Leaves

(1) Background: Two Caucasian blueberries L. and L. are famous berry bushes growing in the Caucasus region and used to treat neurological diseases, but the chemistry and bioactivity of leaf extracts are still poorly studied. (2) Methods: Phenolic compounds of and leaf extracts were profiled and quantified by HPLC-PDA-ESI-tQ-MS. The neurotropic potential of extracts was studied using the model of middle cerebral artery permanent occlusion to determine cerebral blood flow, the area of the brain tissue necrosis, and antioxidant enzyme activity (including superoxide dismutase, succinate dehydrogenase, and cytochrome C oxidase), as well as the concentration of TBARS. (3) Results: Hydroxycinnamates and flavonoids were identified in the leaves of and , and the dominant metabolite of both extracts was 5--caffeoylquinic acid in the amount of 105-226 mg/g. The studied extracts enhanced the cerebral hemodynamics and decreased the frequency of necrotic and lipooxidative processes in the brain tissue, accompanied by an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The positive effect of was stronger and exceeded the effectiveness of standardized extract. (4) Conclusion: The leaf extracts of Caucasian blueberries and as a new source of hydroxycinnamates demonstrated a protective effect of the brain ischemia pathology and can be used as therapeutic agents to treat neurological diseases.