Protective Mechanism of Broad Bean Extract on Parkinson’s Disease Model Cells

Broad beans, natural sources of L-DOPA and bioactive phenolics show promise for Parkinson's disease intervention. This study investigated broad bean extracts' protective mechanisms against PD pathogenesis. Among screened varieties, QC25 extract exhibited optimal protection in MPP⁺-injured PC12 cells, improving viability, reducing LDH release, and mitigating cell cycle arrest. QC25 extract rescued mitochondrial dysfunction by suppressing ROS, restoring membrane potential, normalizing Ca²⁺ homeostasis, and recovering ATP synthesis. Metabolomics identified glycerophospholipid metabolism as the core protective pathway, mediating mitochondrial membrane stabilization. QC25 extract further activated PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy, upregulating PINK1 and Parkin expression. Crucially, 6-gingerol-uniquely detected in QC25 extract-synergized with L-DOPA, enhancing cell viability and amplifying mitophagy through complementary mitochondrial repair mechanisms. These findings demonstrate QC25 broad bean variety exerts' protective effects on PD model cells by regulating mitochondrial function and mitophagy, and its unique component 6-gingerol synergizes with L-DOPA to strengthen these effects. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of QC25 as a functional food ingredient for neurological health maintenance.