Phytochemical composition and immunobiological activity of Hawthorn Crataegus mexicana nanoencapsulated in Longfin yellowtail Seriola rivoliana leukocytes.

The aims of this study were to determine the presence of phenolic compounds in Hawthorn Crataegus mexicana, species native to Mexico, nanoencapsulated (CmNano) with maltodextrin at 100 and 170 °C (CmNano100 and CmNano170) and its antioxidant and immunological effects in Longfin yellowtail Seriola rivoliana leukocytes. The phytochemical study revealed an important level of total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC) and tannin (CTC) contents in CmNano100, which correlated with a strong antioxidant capacity. CmNano100 or 170 were safe or not cytotoxic for head-kidney (HKL) and peripheral blood (PBL) leukocytes. The in vitro study demonstrated that CmNano increased the percentage of phagocytic cells, stimulated the production of reactive oxygen species, and modulated antioxidant ability by increasing superoxide dismutase activity in leukocytes with respect to the control group. In addition, CmNano100 also increased the transcription of proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β and down-regulated MyD88 and TNF-α mRNA transcription. These results suggest that maltodextrin nanoencapsulates protected and maintained the antioxidant properties of C. mexicana. In addition, they enhanced antioxidant and immunological parameters in Longfin yellowtail S. rivoliana leukocytes. Therefore, this study provides novel insights of CmNano for its potential application as functional food in aquaculture.