Euphorbia denticulata Lam.: A promising source of phyto-pharmaceuticals for the development of novel functional formulations

Therapeutic potential of bark extracts from Macaranga denticulata on renal fibrosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Macaranga denticulata (MD) bark is commonly utilized in traditional medicine for diabetes prevention and treatment. The bark extract of MD is rich in prenyl or farnesyl flavonoids and stilbenes, which possess antioxidant properties. Although data suggest the potential therapeutic benefits of the use of MD in treating diabetic nephropathy (DN), the precise mechanisms underlying MD-initiated protective effects against DN are not well understood. This study aimed to assess the renoprotective properties of MD extract by examining renofibrosis inhibition, oxidative stress, and inflammation utilizing streptozotocin-induced DN male Sprague - Dawley rats. Diabetic rats were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes. After 6 days, these rats were orally administered MD extract (200 mg/kg/day) or metformin (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. The administration of MD extract significantly lowered blood glucose levels, restored body weight, and reduced urine levels of various biomarkers associated with kidney functions. Histopathological analysis revealed protective effects in both kidneys and pancreas. Further, MD extract significantly restored abnormalities in advanced glycation end products, oxidative stress biomarkers, and proinflammatory cytokine levels in STZ-treated rats. MD extract markedly reduced renal fibrosis biomarker levels, indicating recovery from renal injury, and reversed dysregulation of sirtuins and claudin-1 in the kidneys of rats with STZ-induced diabetes. In conclusion, data demonstrated the renoprotective role of MD extract, indicating plant extract's ability to suppress oxidative stress and regulate proinflammatory pathways during pathological changes in diabetic nephropathy.

Microwave and ultrasound extraction of antioxidant phenolic compounds from Lantana camara Linn. leaves: Optimization, comparative study, and FT-Orbitrap MS analysis

INTRODUCTION

The species Lantana camara is used in folk medicine. The biological activities of this medicinal plant are attributable to the presence of various derivatives of triterpenoids and phenolic compounds present in its preparations, indicating excellent economic potential.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, the operational conditions of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) were optimized using Box-Behnken design to improve the total phenolic content (TPC) recovered in hydroethanolic extracts of L. camara leaves.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The TPC, total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities of the hydroalcoholic extracts of L. camara, prepared by UAE and MAE under the optimized extraction conditions, were compared with those of the extracts obtained by conventional extraction methods.

RESULTS

Under the optimal conditions, the extracts obtained by UAE (35% ethanol, 25 min, and a solvent-to-solid ratio of 60:1 mL/g) and by MAE (53% ethanol, 15 min, and 300 W) provided high yields of 32.50% and 38.61% and TPC values of 102.89 and 109.83 mg GAE/g DW, respectively. The MAE extract showed the best results with respect to TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities, followed by extracts obtained by UAE, Soxhlet extraction, decoction, maceration, and infusion, in that order.

CONCLUSION

The results obtained indicate that L. camara may be used as an important source of antioxidant phenolic compounds to obtain products with high biological and economic potential, especially when the extraction process is performed under appropriate conditions using MAE and/or UAE, employing environmentally friendly solvents such as water and ethanol.

Nutritional and medicinal plants as potential sources of enzyme inhibitors toward the bioactive functional foods: an updated review

Enzymes are biologically active complex protein molecules that catalyze most chemical reactions in living organisms, and their inhibitors accelerate biological processes. This review emphasizes medicinal food plants and their isolated chemicals inhibiting clinically important enzymes in common diseases. A mechanistic overview was investigated to explain the mechanism of these food bases enzyme inhibitors. The enzyme inhibition potential of medicinal food plants and their isolated substances was searched in Ovid, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Cholinesterase, amylase, glucosidase, xanthine oxidase, tyrosinase, urease, lipoxygenase, and others were inhibited by crude extracts, solvent fractions, or isolated pure chemicals from medicinal food plants. Several natural compounds have shown tyrosinase inhibition potential, including quercetin, glabridin, phloretin-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, lupinalbin, and others. Some of these compounds' inhibitory kinetics and molecular mechanisms are also discussed. Phenolics and flavonoids inhibit enzyme activity best among the secondary metabolites investigated. Several studies showed flavonoids' significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, highlighting their medicinal potential. Overall, many medicinal food plants, their crude extracts/fractions, and isolated compounds have been studied, and some promising compounds depending on the enzyme have been found. Still, more studies are recommended to derive potential pharmacologically active functional foods.

A Comparative Study of Chamomile Essential Oils and Lipophilic Extracts Obtained by Conventional and Greener Extraction Techniques: Chemometric Approach to Chemical Composition and Biological Activity

Bearing in mind the centuries-old traditional use of chamomile, but also the increasing demand for its products in modern industry, oriented toward sustainable development, there are increasing efforts for the efficient extraction of high-value compounds of this plant, as well as obtaining its products with added value. With that goal, conventional and contemporary separation techniques were applied in this work. Both hydrodistillation processes (HD), conducted in a traditional manner and coupled with microwave irradiation (MWHD), were used for essential oil isolation. In parallel with those procedures, chamomile lipophilic extracts were obtained by Soxhlet extraction applying organic solvents and using supercritical fluid extraction as a greener approach. The obtained extracts and essential oils were characterized in terms of chemical composition (GC analysis, contents of total phenolics and flavonoids) and biological potential. GC analysis revealed that oxygenated sesquiterpenes and non-terpene compounds were the dominant compounds. α-Bisabolol oxide A (29.71–34.41%) and α-bisabolol oxide B (21.06–25.83%) were the most abundant individual components in samples obtained by distillation while in supercritical and Soxhlet extracts, major compounds were α-bisabolol oxide A and pentacosane. The biological potential of essential oils and extracts was tested by applying a set of analyzes to estimate the inhibition of biologically important enzymes (amylase, glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP, chelating and total antioxidant capacity). The results suggested essential oils as better antioxidants, while the extracts were proven to be better inhibitors of the tested enzymes. Principal Component Analysis was conducted using the experimental results of the composition of extracts and EOs of chamomile obtained by different separation techniques, showing clear discrimination between methods applied in correlation with the chemical profile. Molecular docking was applied for the identification of the main active principles present in the essential oil, among which α-bisabolol-oxide B (cp3) showed a higher affinity for tyrosinase.

LC-MS/MS and GC-MS based phytochemical perspectives and antimicrobial effects of endophytic fungus Chaetomium ovatoascomatis isolated from Euphorbia milii

The antimicrobial activity of endophytic fungi isolated from Euphorbia milii was evaluated against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, unicellular yeast, and filamentous fungi. Chaetomium ovatoascomatis NRC was identified morphologically and genetically as the most active strain. The total ethyl acetate extract of C. ovatoascomatis NRC demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative; Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteric, and fungi; Aspergillus niger with MIC of 62.5 ug/ml. Whereas n-hexane fraction demonstrated broader activity against Gram-positive; Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus cereus, Gram-negative; Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteric, fungi; Candida albicans and F. solani. LC–MS/MS analysis of ethyl acetate strain extract and GC–MS analysis of the n-hexane fraction were used to identify the metabolites of the strain extract. LC–MS/MS determined three major metabolites with potential antimicrobial activities including grevilline B, aflatoxin G2 and apigenin. GC–MS analysis of n-hexane fraction tentatively identified 30 compounds, where 9,12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester was the major compound.

Traditonal Uses, Pharmacological, and Phytochemical Studies of Euphorbia: a Review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plants of the genus Euphorbia have long been used as traditional medicine in China, Europe, America, Turkey, India, Africa, Iran, and Pakistan for their great medicinal value and health benefits. Their stems, leaves, roots, latex are widely used to treat respiratory infections, body and skin irritations, digestive disorders, inflammatory infections, body pain, snake or scorpion bites, pregnancy, sensory disturbances, microbial and anti-cancer diseases.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to provide updated information on the genus Euphorbia, including traditional medicinal uses, valuation and exploitation of medicinal plants, phytochemistry, botanical characterization, pharmacological and toxicological research focused on the medicinal properties of several Euphorbias in particular their antibacterial, anti-tumor, and cell manifestations, in addition to the effect of each isolated bioactive molecule from these species and their pharmacological use including preclinical evaluation of new drugs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This work was conducted using scientific databases such as: PubMed, Google scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, etc. In addition, ChemDraw software has been used for the drawing of chemical molecules. The correct names of the plants were confirmed from plantlist.org. The results of this review research were interpreted, analyzed and documented based on the bibliographical information obtained.

RESULTS

Among all the species of the Euphorbiaceae family, 15 species have been demonstrated to exhibit anticancer activity, 21 species have antibacterial activity and 10 species have cytotoxic activity. The majority of the chemical constituents of this plant include triterpenoid glycosides, diterpenoids, flavonoids, and the 4α-methyl steroids. Among them, the main bioactive constituents are present in the diterpenoid fraction. The study of more than 33 steroid plants identified more than 104 compounds. Pharmacological research proved that the crude extracts and some pure compounds obtained from Euphorbia had activities for the treatment of different diseases. The objective of the present study was focused on cytotoxic, antibacterial and antitumor diseases. The study of the phytochemistry of the Euphorbia families led to the conclusion that all the plants studied had active compounds, of which 27 plants characterized by their cytotoxic effects, 7 had antibacterial effects and 10 plants had anti-tumor activities. Therefore, the safety of Euphorbia herbal medicine should be considered a top priority in the early stages of development and clinical trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Many previous studies have validated many traditional uses of Euphorbia species. The latex of some Euphorbia species seems to be toxic however studies dealing with safety and quality of these species are still incomplete. Extensive studies are needed on the Euphorbia plants before it can be fully used in clinics as a potent drug candidate, as researchers are focusing mainly on diterpenoids and triterpenoids, while there are many other types of compounds that may possess new biological activities.

Total Phenolic Levels, In Vitro Antioxidant Properties, and Fatty Acid Profile of Two Microalgae, Tetraselmis marina Strain IMA043 and Naviculoid Diatom Strain IMA053, Isolated from the North Adriatic Sea

This work studied the potential biotechnological applications of a naviculoid diatom (IMA053) and a green microalga (Tetraselmis marina IMA043) isolated from the North Adriatic Sea. Water, methanol, and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts were prepared from microalgae biomass and evaluated for total phenolic content (TPC) and in vitro antioxidant properties. Biomass was profiled for fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) composition. The DCM extracts had the highest levels of total phenolics, with values of 40.58 and 86.14 mg GAE/g dry weight (DW in IMA053 and IMA043, respectively). The DCM extracts had a higher radical scavenging activity (RSA) than the water and methanol ones, especially those from IMA043, with RSAs of 99.65% toward 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)diammonium salt (ABTS) at 10 mg/mL, and of 103.43% against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) at 5 mg/mL. The DCM extract of IMA053 displayed relevant copper chelating properties (67.48% at 10 mg/mL), while the highest iron chelating activity was observed in the water extract of the same species (92.05% at 10 mg/mL). Both strains presented a high proportion of saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acids. The results suggested that these microalgae could be further explored as sources of natural antioxidants for the pharmaceutical and food industry and as feedstock for biofuel production.

Unprecedented Insights on Chemical and Biological Significance of Euphorbia cactus Growing in Saudi Arabia

Euphorbia cactus Ehrenb ex Boiss. is a plant species reported from central Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula, belonging to the family of Euphorbiaceae. The plant has ethnobotanical values and is well-known for its milky latex, which has been turned into medicine to treat various ailments. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no literature reports available on phytochemical constituents and antiproliferative mechanism of E. cactus. In the current study, the phytochemical investigation of E. cactus methanolic extract (ECME) resulted in the isolation and characterization of four secondary metabolites, which are reported for the first time from this plant species. In addition, the results of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and ferrous ion chelating (FIC) assays expressed maximum antioxidant activity by ECME and the isolated phytochemicals. Furthermore, ECME exerted a promising antiproliferative effect against different cancer cell lines, and the A549 lung cancer cells were the most sensitive with an IC₅₀ value of 20 µg/mL. The antiproliferative action of ECME in A549 cells was associated with cell accumulation in the G2/M phase and an increase in early and late apoptosis. In addition, RT-PCR and western blot analysis revealed that ECME decreased the anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) expression, while the expression of pro-apoptotic (Bax) and caspase-3 were increased. This study provides the first insight into the phytochemical constituents and the antiproliferative mechanism of ECME, implying that it could be exploited as a promising natural source for developing new cancer therapies. Further preclinical research is warranted to support the current results.

Cancer Chemopreventive Potential and Chemical Profiling of Euphorbia abyssinica Endowed with Docking Studies

Chemical profiling of both fruit and aerial part extracts of Euphorbia abyssinica via ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) showed them to be a rich source of diverse compounds. A total of 39 compounds in both extracts including flavonoids and phenolic compounds were identified as predominant metabolites. The antioxidant activity of both extracts was evaluated using three different in vitro assays (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays). The E. abyssinica fruit extract demonstrated more potent activity compared to the aerial part extract (IC₅₀ of 85.1 ± 1.07 and 562.3 ± 1.01 μg/mL, respectively) in the DPPH assay. Furthermore, using ABTS and FRAP assays, the antioxidant capacities of the fruit extract were 1063.03 ± 37.8 and 1476.5 ± 95.6, respectively, calculated as μM Trolox equivalent/mg extract. One of the existing markers for cancer chemoprevention is the induction of phase II detoxifying enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), which plays a vital role in cytoprotection against oxidative damage. The extracts were assessed to test their chemopreventive potential via NQO1 enzyme induction. The methanolic extract of fruits demonstrated a concentration-dependent increase in the cancer chemopreventive marker enzyme NQO1 at the protein expression level in a murine hepatoma cell line (Hepa1c1c7). The interaction with Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) is an essential transcription factor that controls the expression of the NQO1 enzyme. The demonstrated induction of NQO1 by the fruit extract is consistent with a molecular docking study of the effect of dereplicated compounds on the KEAP1 target. Among the dereplicated compounds, hesperidin, naringin, and rutin have been established as promising inducer compounds for the chemopreventive marker NQO1. Our results highlight the E. abyssinica fruit extract as a future chemopreventive lead.

Cheminformatic Characterization of Natural Antimicrobial Products for the Development of New Lead Compounds

The growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of pathogenic organisms to currently prescribed drugs has resulted in the failure to treat various infections caused by these superbugs. Therefore, to keep pace with the increasing drug resistance, there is a pressing need for novel antimicrobial agents, especially from non-conventional sources. Several natural products (NPs) have been shown to display promising in vitro activities against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Still, only a few of these compounds have been studied as prospective drug candidates. This may be due to the expensive and time-consuming process of conducting important studies on these compounds. The present review focuses on applying cheminformatics strategies to characterize, prioritize, and optimize NPs to develop new lead compounds against antimicrobial resistance pathogens. Moreover, case studies where these strategies have been used to identify potential drug candidates, including a few selected open-access tools commonly used for these studies, are briefly outlined.

Investigation of phytochemical composition and enzyme inhibitory potential of Anagallis arvensis L

Anagallis arvensis L. commonly known as 'Scarlet Pimpernel' has been used in folklore as natural remedy for treating common ailments. The present research is aimed to explore the phytochemical composition and enzyme inhibition potential of methanol and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of A. arvensis aerial and root parts. The phytochemical composition was established via HPLC-PDA polyphenolic quantification and UHPLC-MS analysis, while the inhibition potential against amylase and tyrosinase enzymes were assessed using standard in vitro protocols. The HPLC-PDA polyphenolic quantification revealed the presence of important compounds including catechin, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and ferulic acid, whereas 34 different secondary metabolites were tentatively identified by UHPLC-MS of both the DCM extracts. All the extracts showed moderate tyrosinase and a weak amylase inhibition activity. The aerial-DCM extract showed comparatively higher tyrosinase and amylase enzyme inhibition potential, which may be due to the presence of secondary metabolites as tentatively identified by its UHPLC-MS profiling.

Therapeutic propensities, phytochemical composition, and toxicological evaluation of Anagallis arvensis (L.): A wild edible medicinal food plant

Anagallis arvensis (L.) is a wild edible food plant that has been used in folklore as a natural remedy for treating common ailments. This study aimed to explore the biochemical properties and toxicity of methanol (MeOH) and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of A. arvensis (aerial and root parts). Bioactive contents were assessed spectrophotometrically, and the secondary metabolites were identified by UHPLC-MS analysis. DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelating assays were employed to assess antioxidant activity. Inhibitory potential against key enzymes (α-glucosidase, urease, lipoxygenase (LOX), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)) were also assessed. MTT assay was employed to test toxicity against SW-480, MDA-MB-231, CaSki, MCF-7, and DU-145 cancer cell lines. Methanolic extracts showed highest phenolic (aerial-MeOH: 27.5 mg GAE/g extract; root-MeOH: 21.17 mg GAE/g extract) and flavonoid (aerial-MeOH: 26.15 mg QE/g extract; root-MeOH: 19.07 mg QE/g extract) contents, and potent antioxidant activities. The aerial-MeOH extract was most potent for DPPH (IC₅₀: 231 ug/mL), ABTS (131.12 mg TE/g extract), FRAP (82.97 mg TE/g extract), and CUPRAC (137.15 mg TE/g extract) antioxidant assays. All extracts were cytotoxic towards tested cancer cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 12.57 to 294.5 µg/mL and conferred a comparatively strong inhibition against α-glucosidase (aerial-DCM extract showed the highest inhibition against α-glucosidase with IC₅₀ value of 20.97 µg /mL), while aerial extracts were also considerably active against BChE (aerial-MeOH IC₅₀: 224.63 µg /mL), LOX (aerial-DCM IC₅₀: 385.7 µg /mL). Likewise, aerial-MeOH extract was most active against urease enzyme (IC₅₀: 129.72 µg /mL). UHPLC-MS investigation of methanolic extracts showed the existence of important phenolics, flavonoids, and saponins, including methyl gallte, quercetin, lanceoletin, and balanitesin, amongst others. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted the correlation amongst bioactive contents and observed biological activities. A. arvensis extracts could be regarded as a natural source of bioactive antioxidants, enzyme inhibitors and anticancer agents and can be further investigated as a lead source for food and pharmaceutical products. However, further studies to isolate, purify, and to characterize its bioactive phytochemicals are needed.

A Review of the Ethnomedicinal Uses, Biological Activities, and Triterpenoids of Euphorbia Species

The genus Euphorbia is one of the largest genera in the spurge family, with diversity in range, distribution, and morphology. The plant species in this genus are widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases, ranging from respirational infections, body and skin irritations, digestion complaints, inflammatory infections, body pain, microbial illness, snake or scorpion bites, pregnancy, as well as sensory disorders. Their successes have been attributed to the presence of diverse phytochemicals like polycyclic and macrocyclic diterpenes with various pharmacological properties. As a result, Euphorbia diterpenes are of interest to chemists and biochemists with regard to drug discovery from natural products due to their diverse therapeutic applications as well as their great structural diversity. Other chemical constituents such as triterpenoids have also been reported to possess various pharmacological properties, thus supporting the traditional uses of the Euphorbia species. These triterpenoids can provide potential leads that can be developed into pharmaceutical compounds for a wide range of medicinal applications. However, there are scattered scientific reports about the anticancer activities of these constituents. Harnessing such information could provide a database of bioactive pharmacopeia or targeted scaffolds for drug discovery. Therefore, this review presents an updated and comprehensive summary of the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and the anticancer activities of the triterpenoids of Euphorbia species. Most of the reported triterpenoids in this review belong to tirucallane, cycloartanes, lupane, oleanane, ursane, and taraxane subclass. Their anticancer activities varied distinctly with the majority of them exhibiting significant cytotoxic and anticancer activities in vitro. It is, therefore, envisaged that the report on Euphorbia triterpenoids with interesting anticancer activities will form a database of potential leads or scaffolds that could be advanced into the clinical trials with regard to drug discovery.

Antimicrobial Capacity of Plant Polyphenols against Gram-positive Bacteria: A Comprehensive Review

BACKGROUND

Multi-drug-resistant bacteria such as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) disseminate rapidly amongst patients in healthcare facilities and suppose an increasingly important cause of community-associated infections and associated mortality. The development of effective therapeutic options against resistant bacteria is a public health priority. Plant polyphenols are structurally diverse compounds that have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes, including infections treatment and possess, not only antimicrobial activity, but also antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities among others. Based on the existing evidence on the polyphenols' antibacterial capacity, polyphenols may be postulated as an alternative or complementary therapy for infectious diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To review the antimicrobial activity of plant polyphenols against Gram-positive bacteria, especially against S. aureus and its resistant strains. Determine the main bacterial molecular targets of polyphenols and their potential mechanism of action.

METHODOLOGY

The most relevant reports on plant polyphenols' antibacterial activity and their putative molecular targets were studied. We also performed virtual screening of thousand different polyphenols against proteins involved in the peptidoglycan biosynthesis to find potential valuable bioactive compounds. The bibliographic information used in this review was obtained from MEDLINE via PubMed.

RESULTS

Several polyphenols: phenolic acids, flavonoids (especially flavonols), tannins, lignans, stilbenes and combinations of these in botanical mixtures, have exhibited significant antibacterial activity against resistant and non-resistant Gram-positive bacteria at low μg/mL range MIC values. Their mechanism of action is quite diverse, targeting cell wall, lipid membrane, membrane receptors and ion channels, bacteria metabolites and biofilm formation. Synergic effects were also demonstrated for some combinations of polyphenols and antibiotics.

CONCLUSION

Plant polyphenols mean a promising source of antibacterial agents, either alone or in combination with existing antibiotics, for the development of new antibiotic therapies.

Phytochemical Composition and Enzyme Inhibition Studies of Buxus papillosa C.K. Schneid

The current research work is an endeavor to study the chemical profiling and enzyme-inhibition potential of different polarity solvent (n-hexane, dichloromethane—DCM and methanol—MeOH) extracts from the aerial and stem parts of Buxus papillosa C.K. Schneid. All the extracts were analyzed for HPLC-PDA phenolic quantification, while both (aerial and stem) DCM extracts were studied for UHPLC-MS phytochemical composition. The inhibitory activity against the clinically important enzymes having crucial role in different pathologies like skin diseases (tyrosinase), inflammatory problems (lipoxygenase—LOX) and diabetes mellitus (α-amylase) were studied using standard in vitro bioassays. The DCM extracts upon UHPLC-MS analysis conducted in both negative and positive ionization modes has led to the tentative identification of 52 important secondary metabolites. Most of these belonged to the alkaloid, flavonoid, phenolic and triterpenoid classes. The HPLC-PDA polyphenolic quantification identified the presence of 10 phenolic compounds. Catechin was present in significant amounts in aerial-MeOH (7.62 ± 0.45 μg/g extract) and aerial-DCM (2.39 ± 0.51-μg/g extract) extracts. Similarly, higher amounts of epicatechin (2.76 ± 0.32-μg/g extract) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (1.06 ± 0.21 μg/g extract) were quantified in aerial-DCM and stem-MeOH extracts, respectively. Likewise, all the extracts exhibited moderate inhibition against all the tested enzymes. These findings explain the wide usage of this plant in folklore medicine and suggest that it could be further studied as an origin of novel bioactive phytocompounds and for the designing of new pharmaceuticals.

Novel insights into the fruit and seed extracts of Morinda morindoides (Baker) Milne-Redh: HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS profiling, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibitory propensities

In this study, we attempted for the first time to determine the phytochemical compositions and biopharmaceutical properties of the methanolic and aqueous extracts of Morinda morindoides fruits and seeds. Antioxidant propensities of the extracts were determined via free radical-scavenging, phosphomolybdenum, metal chelating, and reducing power assays. Inhibitory activities against cholinesterases (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)), tyrosinase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase were assessed. Moreover, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined. High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to Electrospray Ionization Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS) analysis was performed to establish the chemical profile of the investigated extracts. The tested extracts showed remarkable antioxidant abilities with aqueous fruit extract being most potent in all assays, except for ferrous ion chelating assay. Overall, the methanolic extracts were potent inhibitors of the tested enzymes. In conclusion, M. morindoides may be endorsed as promising sources of bioactive compounds and used for designing functional foods. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In recent years, new compounds from plant sources have attracted great interest to design functional foods. Thus, we aimed to detect biological and chemical properties of Morinda morindoides fruits and seeds, a widely used as food with medicinal properties in Africa. Based on our findings, fruits extracts exhibited stronger activity when compared to seed extracts. Also, chemical identification was performed for each extracts. The presented findings could provide valuable information into the pool of scientific knowledge and may be basis for the design of novel functional applications from M. morindoides.

Euphorbia-Derived Natural Products with Potential for Use in Health Maintenance

Euphorbia genus (Euphorbiaceae family), which is the third largest genus of angiosperm plants comprising ca. 2000 recognized species, is used all over the world in traditional medicine, especially in the traditional Chinese medicine. Members of this taxa are promptly recognizable by their specialized inflorescences and latex. In this review, an overview of Euphorbia-derived natural products such as essential oils, extracts, and pure compounds, active in a broad range of biological activities, and with potential usages in health maintenance, is described. The chemical composition of essential oils from Euphorbia species revealed the presence of more than 80 phytochemicals, mainly oxygenated sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons, while Euphorbia extracts contain secondary metabolites such as sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sterols, flavonoids, and other polyphenols. The extracts and secondary metabolites from Euphorbia plants may act as active principles of medicines for the treatment of many human ailments, mainly inflammation, cancer, and microbial infections. Besides, Euphorbia-derived products have great potential as a source of bioactive extracts and pure compounds, which can be used to promote longevity with more health.

Scrophularia lucida L. as a valuable source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical applications: In vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, enzyme inhibitory properties, in silico studies, and HPLC profiles

The genus Scrophularia has received much interest with regards to its traditional uses against eczema, psoriasis, and mastitis. Yet, the medicinal properties of some species still need to be scientifically validated. The present study was designed to investigate into the biological properties of various solvent extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous) of the roots and aerial parts of Scrophularia lucida based on its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and enzyme inhibitory activities together with phytochemical screening. Our results revealed that the solvent extracts differed in their biological effectiveness. The root ethyl acetate extract showed the highest ABTS scavenging, FRAP, CUPRAC, and inhibitory activity against AChE and α-glucosidase. The ethyl acetate extract of the aerial parts displayed the highest BChE and α-amylase inhibition and antioxidant effect in the phosphomolybdenum assay, while the methanol extracts of both parts were the most effective DPPH• scavengers and tyrosinase inhibitors. The methanol extracts of the root and aerial parts also inhibited NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine leukemic monocyte-macrophage cell (4.99% and 10.77%, respectively), at 31.25 μg/mL concentration. The highest TPC (34.98 mg GAE/g extract) and TFC (48.33 mg RE/g extract) were observed in the ethyl acetate extract of the root and aerial parts, respectively. The most abundant compounds in the root ethyl acetate extract were luteolin (852 μg/g extract), rosmarinic acid (522 μg/g extract), and hesperidin (394 μg/g extract) while kaempferol was most abundant in the ethyl acetate extract of the aerial parts (628 μg/g extract). In silico experiments were conducted on tyrosinase and the higher docking values were observed for rosmarinic acid and hesperidin. The present findings provide base line information which tend to support the potential use of S. lucida in the management of several chronic diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and diabetes mellitus.

Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant, enzyme inhibition and cytotoxic potential of Bougainvillea glabra flowers

In this study, phytochemical composition, antioxidant, enzyme inhibition and cytotoxic activities of methanol and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of Bougainvillea glabra (B. glabra) flowers were investigated. Methanol extract was found to have higher total bioactive contents and UHPLC-MS analysis of methanol extract revealed the presence of well-known phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Antioxidant activities were performed by radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS), reducing power (FRAP and CUPRAC), phosphomolybdenum (TAC) and metal chelating assays. From our result, we observed that methanol extract had many antioxidant compounds. The DCM extract exhibited higher cholinesterases and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition, while methanol extract showed significant urease inhibition. Both extracts exhibited strong to moderate cytotoxicity against MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, CaSki, DU-145 and SW-480 cancer cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 88.49 to 304.7 µg/mL. The findings showed the B. glabra to possess considerable antioxidant, enzyme inhibition and cytotoxic potentials and therefore has potential to discover novel bioactive molecules.

Discovery of novel amide tripeptides as pancreatic lipase inhibitors by virtual screening

A virtual screening workflow for the discovery of pancreatic lipase inhibitors.

Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in an Obese State and the Protective Effects of Gallic Acid

Metabolic complications in an obese state can be aggravated by an abnormal inflammatory response and enhanced production of reactive oxygen species. Pro-inflammatory response is known to be associated with the formation of toxic reactive oxygen species and subsequent generation of oxidative stress. Indeed, adipocytes from obese individuals display an altered adipokine profile, with upregulated expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL-6). Interestingly, natural compounds, including phenolic enriched foods are increasingly explored for their ameliorative effects against various metabolic diseases. Of interest is gallic acid, a trihydroxybenzoic acid that has progressively demonstrated robust anti-obesity capabilities in various experimental models. In addition to reducing excessive lipid storage in obese subjects, gallic acid has been shown to specifically target the adipose tissue to suppress lipogenesis, improve insulin signaling, and concomitantly combat raised pro-inflammatory response and oxidative stress. This review will revise mechanisms involved in the pathophysiological effects of inflammation and oxidative stress in an obese state. To better inform on its therapeutic potential and improvement of human health, available evidence reporting on the anti-obesity properties of gallic acid and its derivatives will be discussed, with emphases on its modulatory effect on molecular mechanisms involved in insulin signaling, inflammation and oxidative stress.

Chemical, biological and molecular modelling analyses to probe into the pharmacological potential of Antidesma madagascariense Lam.: A multifunctional agent for developing novel therapeutic formulations

Antidesma madagascariense Lam. (AM), an indigenous medicinal plant to the Mascarene Islands, is used for the treatment of several diseases. We endeavoured to validate its use via evaluating the kinetics of inhibition of crude aqueous extract (CAE) and crude methanol extract (CME) of AM against key metabolic enzymes (pancreatic lipase, cholesterol esterase [CEase], acetylcholinesterase [AChE], and urease). In vitro antiglycation, antioxidant, cytotoxicity using iCELLigence real time cell analysis system and WST-1 methods, were used. LC-ESI-MS/MS was employed to determine the phenolic composition of the extracts and interaction of selected compounds to the studied enzymes was determined using in silico docking. AChE was inhibited by the CME of AM and CEase by the CAE. Both extracts were active inhibitors of urease and pancreatic lipase. Hyperoside (271.97 μg/g extract), present in large amount in the CME, docked to the enzymatic pocket of urease and CEase. The extracts showed competitive and mixed inhibition of urease and pancreatic lipase, respectively. The antioxidant capacity of the CME (6.61 μg GAE/mg crude extract) was higher compared to CAE (2.20 μg GAE/mg crude extract). AM extracts were significantly (p <  0.05) less potent than aminoguanidine in preventing advanced glycation end products formation. Toxicological screening revealed that both extracts were non-toxic on HEK-293 cells. AM crude extracts at concentrations ranging from 78 to 312 μg/ml did not cause a visible change in cell morphology compared to control. This study supports the safe use of AM as a biomedicine for the management and/or treatment of common non-communicable diseases.

Optimization of Flavonoids Extraction Process in Panax notoginseng Stem Leaf and a Study of Antioxidant Activity and Its Effects on Mouse Melanoma B16 Cells

The Panax notoginseng (P. notoginseng) stem leaf is rich in flavonoids. However, because of a lack of research on the flavonoid extraction process and functional development of P. notoginseng stem leaf, these parts are discarded as agricultural wastes. Therefore, in this study, we intend to optimize the extraction process and develop the skin-whitening functions of P. notoginseng stem leaf extracts. The extraction process of the stem and leaf of P. notoginseng flavonoid (SLPF) is optimized based on the Box⁻Behnken design (BBD) and the response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum extraction conditions of the SLPF are as follows: the extraction time, the ethanol concentration, the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) content and the liquid material ratio (v/w, which are 52 min, 48.7%, 1.9%, and 20:1, respectively. Under the optimal extraction conditions, the average total SLPF content is 2.10%. The antioxidant activity and anti-deposition of melanin of mouse B16 cells of P. notoginseng stem leaf extracts are studied. The results indicate that the EC₅₀ values of reducing activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activities, the superoxide anion removal ability, and the 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) free radical removal ability are 7.212, 2.893, 2.949, and 0.855 mg/mL, respectively. The extracts IC₅₀ values of the tyrosinase and melanin synthesis are 0.045 and 0.046 mg/mL, respectively. Therefore, the optimal processing technology for the SLPF obtained in this study not only increases its utilization rate, but also decreases material costs. The extracts from the P. notoginseng stem leaf may be developed as food or beauty products.

Analysis of the Active Constituents and Evaluation of the Biological Effects of Quercus acuta Thunb. (Fagaceae) Extracts

We evaluated the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of hexnane, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol, ethanol, and water extracts of the Quercus acuta leaf. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and total phenolic content. Antibacterial activity was assessed against general infectious pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant clinical isolates. The methanolic extract showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content, while the reducing power was the highest in the water extract. The ethyl acetate extract showed the best antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. Additionally, it displayed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus KCTC1928, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341, Salmonella typhimurium KCTC 1925, Escherichia coli KCTC 1923, and eight MRSA strains. These results present basic information for the possible uses of the ethanolic and ethyl acetate extracts from Q. acuta leaf in the treatment of diseases that are caused by oxidative imbalance and antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Six active compounds, including vitamin E, which are known to possess antioxidant and antibacterial activity, were identified from the extracts. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that reports the chemical profiling and antibacterial effects of the various QA leaf extracts, suggesting their potential use in food therapy or alternative medicine.

Protective effects of (-)-epicatechin and the colonic metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid against glucotoxicity-induced insulin signalling blockade and altered glucose uptake and production in renal tubular NRK-52E cells

Glucotoxicity (high levels of glucose) is a major cause in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Evidences indicate that (-)-epicatechin (EC) and colonic metabolites derived from flavonoid intake could possess antidiabetic effects, but the mechanisms for their preventive activities related to glucose homeostasis and insulin signalling in the kidney remain largely unknown. This work is aimed to investigate the effect of EC and main colonic phenolic acids derived from flavonoid intake, i.e. 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic-acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic-acid (DHPAA) and 3-hydroxyphenylpropionic-acid, on insulin signalling, and glucose production and uptake in renal tubular proximal NRK-52E cells treated with high glucose. Pre-treatment with EC or DHPAA prevented the decreased tyrosine-phosphorylated and total levels of IR caused by high glucose. EC and DHPAA pre-treatment also avoided the inactivation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and AMPK, and the elevation of PEPCK levels induced by high glucose. Additionally, EC and DHPAA pre-treatment alleviated the altered glucose uptake and production caused by high glucose, although this protective effect was abrogated when AKT and AMPK were inhibited. These results suggest EC and DHPAA prevent or delay a potential dysfunction of NRK-52E cells treated with high glucose through the attenuation of the insulin signalling blockade and the modulation of glucose homeostasis via AKT and AMPK.

Integration of in vitro and in silico perspectives to explain chemical characterization, biological potential and anticancer effects of Hypericum salsugineum: A pharmacologically active source for functional drug formulations

The genus Hypericum is one of the most popular genera in both traditional medicine and scientific platform. This study is designed to provide conceptual insights on the biological potential and chemical characterization of H. salsugineum, which is endemic to Turkey. The qualitative and quantitative phenolic content of the extracts was characterized by HPLC-ESI-MSn. Biological efficiency was investigated by enzyme inhibitory assays (cholinesterases, tyrosinase, amylase, and glucosidase) and anti-cancer efficacy tests (anti-proliferative activities with the iCELLigence technology, colony formation and wound healing scratch assays). Phenolic acids (3-O-caffeoylquinic, 5-O-caffeoylquinic, and 4-O-caffeoylquinic acids) were the predominant group in the studied extracts, although several flavonoids were also detected and quantified. The extracts exhibited good inhibitory effects on tyrosinase and glucosidase, while they had weak ability against cholinesterases and amylase. Computational studies were also performed to explain the interactions between the major phenolics and these enzymes. The extracts displayed significant anti-cancer effects on breast carcinoma cell lines. Our findings suggest that Hypericum salsugineum could be valued as a potential source of biologically-active compounds for designing novel products.

UHPLC-ESI-ORBITRAP-MS analysis of the native Mapuche medicinal plant palo negro (Leptocarpha rivularis DC. - Asteraceae) and evaluation of its antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory properties

UHPLC/ESI/MS identification of organic compounds is the first step in the majority of screening techniques for the characterization of biologically active metabolites in natural sources. This paper describes a method for the fast identification and characterisation of secondary metabolites in Leptocarpha rivularis DC. (Palo negro) extracts by HPLC/UV (DAD)–Mass Spectrometry (HPLC/MS). The plant is used for the treatment of several diseases since pre-hispanic Mapuche times. Thirty-seven compounds were detected in the aqueous edible extract for the first time including 4 sesquiterpenes, 10 flavonoids, 9 oxylipins, 2 organic acids, and 11 phenolic acids. In addition, phenolic content antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activities were measured for the first time using the edible infusion. The total polyphenol content of the infusion was 230.76 ± 2.5 mmol GAE/kg dry weight, while the antioxidant activity was 176.51 ± 28.84; 195.28 ± 4.83; and 223.92 ± 2.95 mmol TE/kg dry weight, for the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, respectively. The cholinesterase inhibitory activity was 7.38 ± 0.03 and 5.74 ± 0.06 mmol GALAE/kg, for the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase AChE and BChE, respectively, showing that this plant is a candidate for the isolation of compounds that can be useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, this plant could serve also as a raw material for the production of dietary supplements, due to its content of polyphenolic compounds.

Biological activity and chemical profile of Lavatera thuringiaca L. extracts obtained by different extraction approaches

BACKGROUND

Lavatera thuringiaca L. is herbaceous perennial plant from Malvaceae family, which is known for its biological activity and richness in polyphenolic compounds. Despite this, the information regarding the biological activity and chemical profile is still insufficient.

PURPOSE

Aim of this study was to investigate biological potential and chemical profile of Lavatera thuringiaca L., as well as influence of applied extraction technique on them.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Two conventional and four non-conventional extraction techniques were applied in order to obtain extracts rich in bioactive compound. Extracts were further tested for total phenolics, flavonoids, condensed tannins, gallotannins and anthocyanins contents using spectrophotometric assays. Polyphenolic profile was established using HPLC-DAD analysis. Biological activity was investigated regarding antioxidant, cytotoxic and antibacterial activities. Four antioxidant assays were applied as well as three different cell lines for cytotoxic and fifteen bacterial strain for antibacterial activity.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Results showed that subcritical water extraction (SCW) dominated over the other extraction techniques, where SCW extract exhibited the highest biological activity. Study indicates that plant Lavatera thuringiaca L. may be used as a potential source of biologically compounds.

In vitro and in silico perspectives on biological and phytochemical profile of three halophyte species-A source of innovative phytopharmaceuticals from nature

BACKGROUND

Halophytes are considered as valuable sources of traditional drugs in different countries.

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to evaluate biological and chemical fingerprints of three halophytes (Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moric.) C, Koch, Halimione portulacoides (L.) Aellen and Salicornia europaea L.).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antioxidant and enzymatic inhibitory potential (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase) were assessed. The total phenolic, flavonoid contents, and the chemical profiles were appraised using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Molecular docking was conducted to provide additional insights of molecular interactions of the enzymes/phytochemicals.

RESULTS

Ethyl acetate extract was the most efficient extract, with A. macrostachyum being the most potent towards DPPH and ABTS radicals and phosphomolybdenum assay. Ethyl acetate extract of A. macrostachyum was also the best reducing agent (CUPRAC and FRAP assays). Methanol and ethyl acetate extract of A. macrostachyum, H. portulacoides, and S. europaea showed significant enzyme inhibition potential. Ethyl acetate extract of A. macrostachyum showed the highest total phenolic (29.54 ± 0.78 mgGAEs/g extract) while the ethyl acetate extract of S. europaea was more abundant in flavonoids (18.26 ± 0.11 mgREs/g extract). Phytochemical profiling allowed the identification of several components in the methanolic extracts (16 in A. macrostachyum, 14 in H. portulacoides, and 11 in S. europaea), with quinic acid, p-coumaric acid, and rhamnetin being most abundant. Docking studies revealed that the above compounds showed scores for the enzymes tested.

CONCLUSION

The three halophytes studies could be considered as potential sources of biologically-active compounds for novel phytopharmaceuticals development.

Insights into the functionality of endophytic actinobacteria with a focus on their biosynthetic potential and secondary metabolites production

Endophytic actinobacteria play an important role in growth promotion and development of host plant by producing enormous quantities of novel bioactive natural products. In the present investigation, 169 endophytic actinobacteria were isolated from endospheric tissues of Rhynchotoechum ellipticum. Based on their antimicrobial potential, 81 strains were identified by 16rRNA gene analysis, which were taxonomically grouped into 15 genera. All identified strains were screened for their plant growth promoting attributes and, for the presence of modular polyketide synthases (PKSI, PKSII and nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) gene clusters to correlate the biosynthetic genes with their functional properties. Expression studies and antioxidant potential for four representative strains were evaluated using qRT-PCR and DPPH assay respectively. Additionally, six antibiotics (erythromycin, ketoconazole, fluconazole, chloramphenicol, rifampicin and miconazole) and nine phenolic compounds (catechin, kaempferol, chebulagic acid, chlorogenic acid, Asiatic acid, ferulic acid, arjunic acid, gallic acid and boswellic acid) were detected and quantified using UHPLC-QqQ_LIT-MS/MS. Furthermore, three strains (BPSAC77, 121 and 101) showed the presence of the anticancerous compound paclitaxel which was reported for the first time from endophytic actinobacteria. This study provides a holistic picture, that endophytic actinobacteria are rich bacterial resource for bioactive natural products, which has a great prospective in agriculture and pharmaceutical industries.

Shedding light on the biological and chemical fingerprints of three Achillea species (A. biebersteinii, A. millefolium and A. teretifolia)

Representatives of the Achillea genus are widely used as foods or nutraceuticals. Considering the increasing demand for herbal dietary supplements with health promoting effects, the objective of this research was to evaluate the biological and chemical profiles of different extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol and water) obtained from three Achillea species (A. biebersteinii, A. millefolium and A. teretifolia). The antioxidant (free radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS), reducing power (CUPRAC and FRAP), metal chelating and phosphomolybdenum), enzyme inhibitory (anti-cholinesterase, anti-tyrosinase, anti-amylase and anti-glucosidase) and antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) effects were assessed to investigate their biological profiles. Moreover, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined and LC-MS analysis was performed for the chemical profile of the investigated extracts. The LC-MS analysis revealed the presence of several caffeoylquinic acids in these extracts. Generally, the methanol and water extracts exhibited stronger antioxidant abilities, which correlated with the higher levels of phenolic compounds when compared to the ethyl acetate extracts. In addition, the best antimicrobial activities were obtained for the ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts. However, the ethyl acetate extract had remarkable enzyme inhibitory potential. On the basis of our results, Achillea species may be promoted as promising sources of natural agents and used for the development of nutraceuticals or functional food ingredients.

Allelopathic Effects, Physiological Responses and Phenolic Compounds in Litter Extracts of Juniperus rigidaSieb. et Zucc

The allelopathic effects of Juniperus rigida litter aqueous extract (LE) on wheat and Pinus tabuliformis were studied, as well as the physiological responses to the extract. High concentration LE (0.10 g Dw/ml) significantly inhibited the seed germination and seedling growth in receptor plants. The chlorophyll content and root activity in the wheat seedlings were reduced significantly across all treatments; however, those were more prominently reduced at high concentration (0.10 g Dw/ml) but received little stimulation at low concentration (0.025 g Dw/ml) in P. tabuliformis. The content of malonaldehyde (MDA) increased with increasing concentrations of LE, except at 0.025 g Dw/ml. Activities of antioxidant enzymes (POD, CAT and SOD) in receptor plants were all significantly inhibited at high concentrations but stimulated at low concentrations. These results demonstrate that the aqueous extract from J. rigida litter has allelopathic potential. Various phenolic compounds were identified in litter aqueous extract and litter ethanol extract by HPLC. The phenolic compound content in the aqueous extract was significantly lower than that in the ethanol extract. Chlorogenic acid and podophyllotoxin were the predominant phenolic compounds in both types of litter extracts. These findings suggest that the seed germination and seedling growth of P. tabuliformis and wheat would be inhibited when planted near large amounts J. rigida litter.

Searching for new sources of innovative products for the food industry within halophyte aromatic plants: In vitro antioxidant activity and phenolic and mineral contents of infusions and decoctions of Crithmum maritimum L

Aromatic halophyte plants are an outstanding source of bioactive compounds and natural products with potential use in the food industry. This work reports the in vitro antioxidant activity, toxicity, polyphenolic profile and mineral contents of infusions and decoctions from stems, leaves and flowers of Crithmum maritimum L., an aromatic and edible maritime halophyte (sea fennel). Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) Dahlg. (rooibos) herbal tea was used as a reference. Sea fennel's tisanes, particularly from leaves, were rich in phenolic compounds and five of them (p-hydroxybenzoic and ferulic acids, epicatechin, pyrocatechol and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde) were here described in C. maritimum for the first time. Chlorogenic acid was the dominant phenolic determined. Na was the most abundant mineral in all tisanes followed by Ca and Mg in leaves' tisanes and K in flowers. Sea fennel's samples had a similar antioxidant activity than those from A. linearis, and had no significant toxicity towards four different mammalian cell lines. Altogether, our results suggest that sea fennel can be a source of products and/or molecules for the food industry with antioxidant properties and minerals in the form, for example, of innovative health-promoting herbal beverages.