Phenolic profile, cheminformatics, and antiplatelet aggregation activity of orange and purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) storage roots

Sweet potatoes are rich in cardioprotective phytochemicals with potential anti-platelet aggregation activity, although this benefit may vary among cultivars/genotypes. The phenolic profile [HPLC-ESI(−)-qTOF-MS2], cheminformatics (ADMET properties, affinity toward platelet proteins) and anti-PA activity of phenolic-rich hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from orange (OSP) and purple (PSP) sweet potato storage roots, was evaluated. The phenolic richness [Hydroxycinnamic acids> flavonoids> benzoic acids] was PSP > OSP. Their main chlorogenic acids could interact with platelet proteins (integrins/adhesins, kinases/metalloenzymes) but their bioavailability could be poor. Just OSP exhibited a dose-dependent anti-platelet aggregation activity [inductor (IC50, mg.ml−1): thrombin receptor activator peptide-6 (0.55) > Adenosine-5′-diphosphate (1.02) > collagen (1.56)] and reduced P-selectin expression (0.75–1.0 mg.ml−1) but not glycoprotein IIb/IIIa secretion. The explored anti-PA activity of OSP/PSP seems to be inversely related to their phenolic richness. The poor first-pass bioavailability of its chlorogenic acids (documented in silico) may represent a further obstacle for their anti-PA in vivo. [Display omitted] •Purple (PSP) > orange (OSP) sweet potato is richer in phenolic compounds.•Chlorogenic acids (CGAs) are major sweet potato phytochemicals.•OSP but not PSP exhibit anti-platelet aggregation (PA) activity.•Sweet potatoes´ CGAs may be poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.•Sweet potatoes' CGAs may target human platelet-related proteins.