A Comparative Analysis of the Anatomy, Phenolic Profile, and Antioxidant Capacity of Tussilago farfara L. Vegetative Organs

Pedoclimatic Conditions Influence the Morphological, Phytochemical and Biological Features of Mentha pulegium L

In this study, Mentha pulegium leaves and flowers harvested in three different Sicilian areas were investigated from a micromorphological, phytochemical and biological point of view. Light and scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of spherocrystalline masses of diosmin both in the leaf epidermal cells and in thin flower petals. Two different chemotypes were identified (I, kaempferide/rosmarinic acid; II, jaceidin isomer A). Phytochemical screening identified plant from collection site II as the richest in total phenolics (16.74 g GAE/100 g DE) and that from collection site I as the richest in flavonoids (46.56 g RE/100 g DE). Seventy-seven metabolites were identified both in flower and leaf extracts. Plant from site II showed the best antioxidant (0.90-83.72 µg/mL) and anti-inflammatory (27.44-196.31 µg/mL) activity expressed as half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) evaluated by DPPH, TEAC, FRAP, ORAC, BSA denaturation and protease inhibition assays. These data were also corroborated by in vitro cell-based assays on lymphocytes and erythrocytes. Moreover, plant of site II showed the best antiangiogenic properties (IC₅₀ 33.43-33.60 µg/mL) in vivo on a chick chorioallantoic membrane. In conclusion, pedoclimatic conditions influence the chemotype and the biological activity of M. pulegium, with chemotype I showing the most promising biological properties.

Evaluation of Possible Antioxidant, Anti-Hyperglycaemic, Anti-Alzheimer and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Teucrium polium Aerial Parts (Lamiaceae)

Teucrium polium L. is commonly used in folk medicine to treat hypertension and diabetes and to heal wounds. The present work aimed to evaluate the different biological activities of T. polium hydroalcoholic extract, its total phenol and flavonoid content, and its mineral elements. Results showed that T. polium extract showed significant antioxidant potential in 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay with IC₅₀ equal to 8.68 μg/mL but with moderate activity in galvinoxyl assay with IC₅₀ of 21.82 μg/mL and mild activity in the β-carotene assay. It also showed a pronounced anti-hyperglycemic activity using α-amylase inhibitory assay (IC₅₀ = 111.68 µg/mL) and exceeds that of acarbose. T. polium showed excellent activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with IC₅₀ values of 28.69 and 4.93 μg/mL, respectively, postulating its promising anti-Alzheimer potential. The plant extract exhibited a strong anti-inflammatory effect with Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) denaturation inhibitory potential estimated by 97.53% at 2 mg/mL, which was further confirmed by the in vivo carrageen-induced edema model. The extract revealed its richness in flavonoids and phenols, evidenced by its polyphenols content (36.35 ± 0.294 μg GAE/mg) and flavonoids (24.30 ± 0.44 μg QE/mg). It is rich in minerals necessary for human health, such as calcium, potassium, iron, sodium, magnesium, manganese and zinc. Molecular docking performed for previously identified compounds on human α-amylase, 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and acetylcholine esterase confirmed the results. Thus, it can be concluded that T. polium can be a good candidate for alleviating many health-debilitating problems and can be highly beneficial in the pharmaceutical industry and medical research.