Comparison of Phytochemical Profile and Bioproperties of Methanolic Extracts from Different Parts of Tunisian Rumex roseus

The genus Rumex (Polygonaceae) is distributed worldwide and the different species belonging to it are used in traditional medicine. The present study aimed at the evaluation of the phytochemical profile and the biochemical properties of methanolic extracts from different parts (roots, stems, and leaves) of Rumex roseus, a wild local Tunisian plant traditionally used as food.  The phytochemical analysis on the extracts was performed using standard colorimetric procedures, HPLC-DAD, and HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS; then, several in vitro cell-free assays have been used to estimate their antioxidant/free radical scavenging capability (TAC-PM, DPPH, TEAC, FRAP, ORAC, SOD-like activity, and HOCl-induced albumin degradation). Additionally, anti-inflammatory effect of these extracts was evaluated in an in vitro model of acute intestinal inflammation in differentiated Caco-2 cells. The results showed that the methanolic extracts from stems and, especially, leaves contain substantial amounts of flavones (apigenin and luteolin, together with their derivatives), while the extract from roots is characterized by the presence of tannins and quinic acid derivatives. All the extracts appeared endowed with excellent antioxidant/free radical scavenging properties. In particular, the extract from roots was characterized by a remarkable activity, probably due to its different and peculiar polyphenolic composition. Furthermore, both Rumex roseus roots and stems extracts demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect in intestinal epithelial cells, reducing TNF-α-induced gene expression of IL-6 and IL-8. In conclusion, R. roseus methanolic extracts have shown to be potential sources of bioactive compounds to be used in the prevention and treatment of pathologies related to oxidative stress and inflammation.

Effect-Directed Profiling of 17 Different Fortified Plant Extracts by High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography Combined with Six Planar Assays and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

An effect-directed profiling method was developed to investigate 17 different fortified plant extracts for potential benefits. Six planar effect-directed assays were piezoelectrically sprayed on the samples separated side-by-side by high-performance thin-layer chromatography. Multipotent compounds with antibacterial, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, AChE, tyrosinase and/or β-glucuronidase-inhibiting effects were detected in most fortified plant extracts. A comparatively high level of antimicrobial activity was observed for Eleutherococcus, hops, grape pomace, passiflora, rosemary and Eschscholzia. Except in red vine, black radish and horse tail, strong enzyme inhibiting compounds were also detected. Most plants with anti-α-glucosidase activity also inhibited β-glucosidase. Green tea, lemon balm and rosemary were identified as multipotent plants. Their multipotent compound zones were characterized by high-resolution mass spectrometry to be catechins, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid and gallic acid. The results pointed to antibacterial and enzymatic effects that were not yet known for plants such as Eleutherococcus and for compounds such as cynaratriol and caffeine. The nontarget effect-directed profiling with multi-imaging is of high benefit for routine inspections, as it provides comprehensive information on the quality and safety of the plant extracts with respect to the global production chain. In this study, it not only confirmed what was expected, but also identified multipotent plants and compounds, and revealed new bioactivity effects.