Bioactive compounds content and their biological properties of acetone extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. grown on various host plants

The present study is aimed to evaluate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and free phenolic compounds of acetone extract of Cuscuta reflexa grown on five different hosts: Coccinia grandis, Ficus racemosa, Samanea saman, Streblus asper and Zollingeria dongnaiensis, and to explore the antioxidant activities, α-glucosidase and tyrosinase inhibitory properties of the extracts. The highest level of total phenolic and flavonoid contents were observed in the extract of C. reflexa that was grown on S. asper (65.45 mg GAE/g extract) and C. grandis (97.83 mg QE/g extract), respectively. According to HPLC results, vanillic acid, rutin and quercetin were found in all extracts of C. reflexa grown on diversified hosts. The extract of C. reflexa grown on C. grandis possessed the greatest antioxidant activities (DPPH; 251.64 μg/mL, FRAP; 26.44 mg GAE/g extract), α-glucosidase inhibition accounted for 84.36 per cent and antityrosinase activity was at 18.29 mg KAE/g sample.     

Polyphenolic profiling of Ipomoea carnea Jacq. by HPLC-DAD and its implications in oxidative stress and cancer

Ipomoea carnea Jacq. is an important folklore medicinal plant, assessed for its underexplored biological potential. Antioxidant, cytotoxic, antiproliferative and polyphenolic profile of whole plant was evaluated using various techniques. Maximum extract recovery (29% w/w), phenolic [13.54 ± 0.27 μg GAE/mg dry weight (DW)] and flavonoid (2.11 ± 0.10 μg QE /mg DW) content were recorded in methanol-distilled water (1:1) flower extract. HPLC-DAD analysis quantified substantial amount of six different polyphenols ranging from 0.081 to 37.95 μg/mg extract. Maximum total antioxidant and reducing potential were documented in methanol-distilled water and acetone-distilled water flower extracts (42.62 ± 0.47 and 24.38 ± 0.39 μg AAE/mg DW) respectively. Ethanol-chloroform root extract manifested highest free radical scavenging (IC₅₀ of 61.22 μg/mL) while 94.64% of the extracts showed cytotoxicity against brine shrimps. Ethanol leaf extract exhibited remarkable activity against THP-1 cell line (IC₅₀ = 8 ± 0.05 μg/mL) and protein kinases (31 mm phenotype bald zone).     

Essential oil composition,antioxidant activity and phenolic content of endemic Teucrium alyssifolium Staph. (Lamiaceae)

The present study was designed to examine the chemical composition of the essential oil, in vitro antioxidant activity and total phenolic and flavonoid content of extracts from plant parts (leaf, flower and stem) of Teucrium alyssifolium. The principle components of the essential oil were trans-β-caryophyllene (16.87%), ar-curcumene (11.43%) and bisabolene (11.06%), representing 39.36% of the oil. The total phenolic contents ranged between 13.99 and 41.54 mg of GAE/g of extract. The concentrations of flavonoids varied from 16.82 to 49.52 mg of Ru/g of extract. Antioxidant activity was determined in vitro using DPPH reagent and expressed as concentration of each extract required to inhibit radical by 50% (IC₅₀) values that ranged from 13.52 to 132.55 μg/ml. Our results have indicated that water extract of T. alyssifolium (part leaf) with a total content of polyphenols (41.54 mg of GAE/g) and an IC₅₀ of 13.52 μg/ml is more antioxidant.     

Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of propolis from various regions of Poland

The aim of this work was to determine phenolic acid and flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant properties of propolis from different regions of Poland. Total phenolic content of propolis samples ranged from 150.05 to 197.14 mg/g GAE, while total flavonoid content was 35.64–62.04 mg/g QE. The dominant phenolic acid was p-coumaric acid, the content of which was from 37.54 to 116.95 mg/g. The samples also contained much ferulic acid. Among the flavonoids, chrysine and galangine were dominant, and for two samples, naringine was dominant. The propolis samples exhibited various antiradical activity measured towards DPPH^√ (1.92–2.69 mM TE/g) and ABTS^√+ (3.96–4.98 mM TE/g) and reducing power was determined by the ferric reducing antioxidant power method (6.23–9.19 mM Fe(II)/g). The significant linear correlations between total phenolic content and antiradical activity and between total phenolic content and reducing power were observed. Moreover, the total flavonoids content significantly correlated with antiradical activity and reducing power.     

Effect of drying methods on the content of natural pigments and antioxidant capacity in extracts from medicinal plants: a spectroscopic study

Medicinal plants are a significant source of biological active and health protective compounds. Post-harvest treatments can affect, in different ways, the content and biological activity of such compounds. One of the most common post-harvesting methods is drying. In this study, we investigated the effect of drying method on the content of natural pigments (chlorophylls, carotenoids and anthocyanins) and on the antioxidant capacity of two traditionally used herbs, the Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) and the Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) both of them landraces collected from plants grown in Nitra region, West of Slovakia. The freeze-dried samples of both herbs exhibited the highest content of chlorophyll a (7.55 ± 0.13 mg/g dry mass for lemon balm and 9.41 ± 0.17 mg/g dry mass for stinging nettle), chlorophyll b (3.12 ± 0.28 mg/g dry mass for lemon balm and 3.34 ± 0.24 mg/g dry mass for stinging nettle) and carotenoids (2.11 ± 0.24 mg/g dry mass for lemon balm and 2.62 ± 0.06 mg/g dry mass for stinging nettle). The content of chlorophylls and carotenoids correlated with the DPPH antioxidant (radical scavenging) capacity. Higher antioxidant capacity of the lemon balm extracts compared to nettle samples was attributed to the higher content of polyphenol compounds anthocyanins. Despite the higher cost, the freeze drying (lyophilisation) was recommended as the most suitable drying method, mainly for reasons of preserving maximum pigment content and antioxidant capacity.     

Modulation of antibiotic activity by the hydroalcoholic extract from leaves of Caryocar coriaceum WITTM

The aim of this study was to identify the presence of tannins, phenols and flavonoids on the hydroalcoholic extract of Caryocar coriaceum leaves (HECCL) and to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of this extract. The extract was tested alone (1024–1 μg/mL) or associated (MIC/8) with several antibiotics in order to identify any antibacterial activity against multiresistant bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The existence of tannins, total phenols (901.31 mg/g) and flavonoids (89.68 mg/g) was confirmed in the HECCL. The presence of rutin and quercetin were confirmed by Thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, the antioxidant activity of the extract (9 μg/mL) was determined. Moreover, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) value found for HECCL was 1024 μg/mL and the association between HECCL (MIC/8) with benzylpenicillin significantly changed its minimum inhibitory concentration from 2500 to 625 μg/mL against E. coli.     

LC/QTOF profile and preliminary stability studies of an enriched flavonoid fraction of Cecropia pachystachya Trécul leaves with potential antidepressant‐like activity

There is increasing interest in natural antioxidants that are candidates for the prevention of brain damage occurring in major depressive disorders. Cecropia pachystachya is a tropical tree species of Central and South America and a rich source of polyphenols, particularly flavonoids. The aim of this study was to characterize the flavonoid profile of an enriched flavonoid fraction of C. pachystachya (EFF‐Cp ) and evaluate the antidepressant‐like effects of its acute administration in behavior, cytokine levels, oxidative stress and energy metabolism parameters. The EFF‐Cp chemical characterization was performed by HPLC/DAD and LC/QTOF. The antidepressant‐like effects were performed by the forced swimming test, splash test and open field test. EFF‐Cp revealed 15 flavonoids, including seven new glycosyl flavonoids for C. pachystachya . Quantitatively, EFF‐Cp showed isoorientin (43.46 mg/g), orientin (23.42 mg/g) and isovitexin (17.45 mg/g) as major C ‐glycosyl flavonoids. In addition, EFF‐Cp at doses 50 and 100 mg/kg reduced the immobility time in the forced swimming test, without changing the locomotor activity and grooming time. In addition, EFF‐Cp was able to prevent the oxidative damage in some brain areas. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that EFF‐Cp exerts antidepressant‐like effects with its antioxidant properties.     

Antioxidant potential assessment of phenolic and flavonoid rich fractions of Clematis orientalis and Clematis ispahanica (Ranunculaceae)

The antioxidant activities of crude extract fractions using Hexane, Chloroform, Ethyl Acetate, Butanol and Water of Clematis orientalis and Clematis ispahanica were investigated. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay and the ferric reducing/antioxidant potential (FRAP) were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. The total phenolics were found to be 4.37–9.38 and 1.32–11.37 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g in different fractions for C. orientalis and C. ispahanica, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction of C. orientalis and chloroform fraction of C. ispahanica showed the highest DPPH and FRAP activities at a concentration of 300 μg/mL. The predominant phenolic compounds identified by HPLC in C. orientalis were Resorcinol (603.5 μg/g DW) in chloroform fraction and Ellagic acid (811.7 μg/g DW) in chloroform fraction of C. ispahanica.     

Chemical composition,antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the edible medicinal Ononis natrix growing wild in Tunisia

Results showed that leaf methanolic extract of Ononis natrix has important total phenol (51 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoid (14.76 CE/g DW) contents. The chemical composition of O. natrix leaf revealed the presence of quercitine (24.5%), amentoflavone (14.1%), flavones (11.3%) and kaempferol (10.5%). The leaf extract showed a high total antioxidant activity with 60.94 mg of GAE/g DW, displayed a high 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging ability with low IC₅₀ value (29 μg/mL) and a great reducing power (EC₅₀ = 100 μg/mL). O. natrix leaf extract exhibited a significant broad spectrum activity against all tested microorganisms with bacterial inhibition zone sizes ranging from 8.5 to 17 mm in diameter.     

Evaluation of chemical profile and antioxidant activity of Tripleurospermum insularum,a new species from Turkey

This article presents the very first phytochemical investigation on new species Tripleurospermum insularum Inceer &; Hay?rl?oglu-Ayaz. The volatile profile of odorous parts of the plant was analysed by GC/MS, and compounds were identified in headspace and essential oil obtained from aerial parts, representing 70.81% and 92.44% in total, respectively. The major volatiles were n-alkanes (38.43–59.22%), while essential oil was also rich in globulol (13.45%) and β-sesquiphellandrene (9.29%). The content of phenolic compounds in methanolic extract and oil was 3621.62 and 14.4 mg GAE/100 g of dry plant, respectively. Moreover, potential medicinal effects were found in mean of antioxidant activity of this plant measured by using two different assays: radical-scavenging activity and ferric-reducing activity. Samples revealed values ranging from 0.33 to 146.80 μmol TE/100 g for DPPH assay, and from 2.29 to 5414.17 μmol AAE/100 g for FRAP assay.     

HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of phenolics and in vitro antioxidant activity of Epilobium angustifolium L.

The aerial parts of Epilobium plants are widely used as folk medicine and food around the world. The present study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant activities and active chemical constituents from Epilobium angustifolium L. The results revealed that the EtOAc extract, rich in phenolic compounds and flavonoids (16.81 ± 0.67 g GAE/100 g extract and 4.95 ± 0.21 g QE/100 g extract, respectively), possessed significantly antioxidant activities in reducing power, DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity and highly in inhibiting lipid peroxidation activity. Simultaneously, active fractions F to H from EtOAc extracts showing potent in vitro antioxidant activities also contained high content of total phenolic and flavonoid. Twenty-eight compounds were identified as phenolic compounds and flavonoids by LC-MS/MS. The results illustrate that the E. angustifolium L., which is rich in phenolics, could be used as a natural resource of antioxidant ingredient.     

Identification and in vitro antioxidant activities of phenolic compounds isolated from Cynoglossum cheirifolium L.

In an extensive search for bioactive compounds from plant sources, the quantitative and qualitative characterisation of the compounds present in Cynoglossum cheirifolium extracts was studied. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by spectrophotometric techniques. In vitro antioxidant and radical scavenging profiling was determined through DPPH^? scavenging activity and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Our study showed that leaves produce more phenolic compounds, followed by flowering aerial part. The butanolic fraction obtained from leaves extract exhibited the highest total phenolics (78.65 ± 3.58 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoids (22.15 ± 4.66 mg CE/g DW). In contrast, this fraction displayed the highest DPPH^? scavenging ability with IC₅₀ values of 0.06 ± 0.003 mg/mL. The RP-HPLC-PDA analysis of phenolic compounds from leaves of C. cheirifolium lets to identify: rosmarinic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, syringic acid, sinapic acid and rutin. The obtained results indicate that this plant represent a valuable source of natural antioxidants.     

Phytochemical screening,antioxidant activity,total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of seven local varieties of Rosa indica L.

Rosa indica symbol of godness and beauty known for various healing power, has astringent, sedative, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant qualities. Standard methods were used for qualitative detection of phyto-compounds, and quantitative detection of antioxidants was done using DPPH radical scavenging assay, total phenolics and total flavonoids content were expressed in mg GAE/g dry weight and mg QE/g dry weight. Results revealed phyto-compounds presence in all varieties under study however maximum % inhibition was observed by R. indica var pink perfume (94 ± 0.6) with IC50 value 0.3376 ± 0.01 mg/mL. Highest phenolic and flavonoid content was observed in the leaves extract of R. indica var cardinal red, i.e. 3.3553 ± 0.11 (ethanol) mg of Gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight and 3.736 ± 0.001(ethanol) mg of quercetin equivalents (QE)/g dry weight, respectively, at conc. 0.125 mg/mL. Our finding provides evidence that all varieties of rose contain medicinally important bioactive compounds and justifies their use for treatment of different diseases.     

Physico-chemical properties of Tecoma stans Linn. seed oil: a new crop for vegetable oil

Tecoma stans Linn. is known to have various medicinal and therapeutic properties. However, to our knowledge, no information is available regarding their seed oils. In this study, the fatty acid (FA) compositions, physico-chemical properties and antioxidant capacities of T. stans seed oils (TSOs) were investigated. The oil content of the seeds was 15%. The FAs of the TSOs were analysed by GC–MS. α-Linolenic (45.47%), oleic (23.56%), linoleic (11.48%), palmitic (6.09%) and stearic (4.12%) acids were the major detected FAs. γ-Linolenic acid and stearidonic acid, unusually FAs, were also present (1.04% and 6.65%, respectively). The total tocol content in the TSOs was found to be 266.06 mg/100 g. The main component was γ-tocopherol (78.93%). The total phenolic content (168.69 mg GAE/100 g oil) and total flavonoid content (5.54 mg CE/g oil) were also determined in the TSOs.     

Quantification of polyphenols and flavonoid content and evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of Stenocereus stellatus extracts

The hexanic, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts from branches of Stenocereus stellatus were tested in both the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) – induced ear oedema model and antimicrobial activity assay. The % of oedema inhibition, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), as well as the polyphenolic and flavonoid content were determined. Also, extracts were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In TPA model, the three extracts showed moderate oedema inhibition. In the antimicrobial activity assay, methanolic extract shows better MIC against all strains. The lowest MICs were for Candida albicans (31 μg/mL) and Rhizopus sp. (15 μg/mL). Also, 50.78 mg eq. of gallic acid/g extract of polyphenol and 115.12 mg eq. of catequine/g extract of flavonoids content were founded in ethyl acetate extract. In the chromatographic analysis, β-sitosterol, β-amyrine, betulin and some other molecules were identified. The results show that S. stellatus possess antimicrobial activities against some fungus species.     

Flavonoid and phenolic acid profile by LC-MS/MS and biological activity of crude extracts from Chenopodium hybridum aerial parts

Extracts from leaves and stems of Chenopodium hybridum were characterised for the presence and quantity of flavonoids and phenolic acids by LC-ESI-MS/MS. Five flavonoids and eight phenolic acids were detected for the first time in aerial parts of this plant species, the most abundant compounds being rutin (2.80 μg/g DW), 3-kaempferol rutinoside (2.91 μg/g DW), 4-OH-benzoic (1.86 μg/g DW) and syringic acids (2.31 μg/g DW). Extracts were tested for anti-inflammatory/antiarthritic, antihyaluronidase and cytotoxic activities against human prostate cancer (Du145, PC3) and melanoma cell lines (A375, HTB140 and WM793) of different malignancy. None of the extracts protected bovine serum albumin from heat-induced denaturation. Antihyaluronidase effect at the tested concentration was higher than standard naringenin. Cytotoxic activity was generally low with an exception of the extract from the leaves, which was found most effective against prostate Du145 cell line with 98.28 ± 1.13% of dead cells at 100 μg/mL.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rol</Emphasis> Genes on Polyphenols Biosynthesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia annua</Emphasis> and Their Effect on Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Potential of the Plant

Flavonoids are famous for their antioxidant capacity and redox potential. They can combat with cell aging, lipid peroxidation, and cancer. In the present study, Artemisia annua hybrid (Hyb8001r) was subjected to qualitative and quantitative analysis of flavonoids through HPLC. Rol genes transgenics of A. annua were also evaluated for an increase in their flavonoid content along with an increase in antioxidant and cytotoxic potential. This was also correlated with the expression level of flavonoids biosynthetic pathway genes as determined by real-time qPCR. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase genes were found to be significantly more highly expressed in rol B (four to sixfold) and rol C transgenics (3.8–5.5-fold) than the wild-type plant. Flavonoids detected in the wild-type A. annua through HPLC include rutin (0.31 mg/g DW), quercetin (0.01 mg/g DW), isoquercetin (0.107 mg/g DW) and caffeic acid (0.03 mg/g DW). Transgenics of the rol B gene showed up to threefold increase in rutin and caffeic acid, sixfold increase in isoquercetin, and fourfold increase in quercetin. Whereas, in the case of transgenics of rol C gene, threefold increase in rutin and quercetin, 5 fold increase in isoquercetin, and 2.6-fold increase in caffeic acid was followed. Total phenolics and flavonoids content was also found to be increased in rol B (1.5-fold) and rol C (1.4-fold) transgenics as compared to the wild-type plant along with increased free radical scavenging activity. Similarly, the cytotoxic potential of rol gene transgenics against MCF7, HeLA, and HePG2 cancer cell lines was found to be significantly enhanced than the wild-type plant of A. annua. Current findings support the fact that rol genes can alter the secondary metabolism and phytochemical level of the plant. They increased the flavonoids content of A. annua by altering the expression level of flavonoids biosynthetic pathway genes. Increased flavonoid content also enhanced the antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of the plant.     

LC-ESI-MS/MS profiling of phenolics in the leaves of Eleutherococcus senticosus cultivated in the West Europe and anti-hyaluronidase and anti-acetylcholinestarase activities

Neither secondary metabolites of the spring leaves nor the autumn leaves of Eleutherococcus senticosus species cultivated in Poland, or the bioactivity are known. The richest in polyphenols was the autumn leaves (171.1 mg/g DE), while in flavonoids the spring leaves (107.9 mg/g DE). Using LC-ESI-MS/MS, protocatechuic acid has been identified as the most abundant compound in the spring and autumn leaves (200 and 70 μg/g DE, respectively). Amongst flavonoids, naringenin 7-O-glucoside occurred in the largest amount (20 and 10 mg/g DE in the spring and autumn leaves, respectively). The autumn leaves inhibited Hyal the strongest (74.3%), comparing to the spring leaves (33%). A weak inhibition was found towards AChE (0.64 and 5.8% for the autumn and spring leaves, respectively). To our best knowledge, no information was available on the phytochemical composition and activity of the leaves of E. senticosus cultivated in Poland.     

Chemical characterisation of the constituents of Eugenia protenta McVaugh and leishmanicidal activity of dimethylxanthoxylin

The chemical study of Eugenia protenta McVaugh extracts performed by classical and high-performance liquid chromatography techniques and spectral methods has led to the identification of known triterpenoids, flavonoids and an acetophenone derivative (dimethylxanthoxylin). The effect of dimethylxanthoxylin on Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis was evaluated against the promastigotes forms after 96 h of treatment. Dimethylxanthoxylin reduced 57 and 59% of the promastigotes growth when treated with 50 and 100 μg/mL solutions, respectively (IC₅₀ 117.35 μg/mL or 52.3 μM). Cytotoxicity experiments using MTT assays showed that this substance did not promote cell death after 24 h of treatment. Dimethylxanthoxylin was active on the promastigotes and could be a promising agent for treating leishmaniasis.     

Preparation and Evaluation of Uniform-Sized Sol–Gel Theophylline Imprinted Microspheres as Solid Phase Extraction Sorbent

A highly selective imprinted amino-functionalized silica gel microsphere was prepared by a simple molecular imprinting technique with a sol–gel process. Theophylline was used as template; 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) as functional monomer and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as reticulating agent. These theophylline imprinted silica microspheres were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron micrographs (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in detail. The results showed that monodispersive APTMS-silica imprinted microspheres with size of 250 nm were synthesized successfully. Two kind of binding sites exist between the sol–gel imprinted microspheres and theophylline with K _D and Q _max for the higher affinity binding parameters was 1.89 μg/mL and 7.47 μg/mg dry polymers, and for the lower affinity binding sites were found to be 0.18 μg/mL and 3.47 μg/mg dry polymers, respectively. Packed in column, the imprinted microspheres were employed to extract theophylline from green tea successfully.