Plants are phytochemical hubs containing antioxidants, essential for normal plant functioning and adaptation to environmental cues and delivering beneficial properties for human health. Therefore, knowledge on the antioxidant potential of different plant species and their nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties is of utmost importance. Exploring this scientific research field provides fundamental clues on (1) plant stress responses and their adaptive evolution to harsh environmental conditions and (2) (new) natural antioxidants with a functional versatility to prevent and treat human pathologies. These natural antioxidants can be valorized via plant-derived foods and products. Cuba contains an enormously rich plant biodiversity harboring a great antioxidant potential. Besides opening new avenues for the implementation of sustainable agroecological practices in crop production, it will also contribute to new strategies to preserve plant biodiversity and simultaneously improve nature management policies in Cuba. This review provides an overview on the beneficial properties of antioxidants for plant protection and human health and is directed to the valorization of these plant antioxidants, emphasizing the need for biodiversity conservation.
Objective To investigate the main chemical components and the anti-inflammatory activity of extracts of Adelia ricinella L. aerial parts. Methods Three extracts obtained by soxhlet extraction and ethanol/water mixtures were evaluated in their chemical composition by UPLC-DAD-MS/MS. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the prepared extracts was assessed through three different assays: COX-1 and COX-2 enzymatic inhibition, cell-based COX assays on RAW264.7 macrophages (ATCC) measuring the COX-2 protein expression by Western blot and the measurement of the PGE2 concentration in the supernatants of the culture medium. Also was determinate the effect of the three extracts on the RAW 264.7 cell viability. Key findings Few differences in the phytochemical profile were found between the three prepared extracts, identifying a blend of thirteen flavonoids derived from luteolin and apigenin, with orientin as main constituent. Plant extracts (alcoholic and aqueous) did not affect the macrophage cell viability (IC50 > 256 μg/ml) and significantly reduced COX-1 and COX-2 enzyme activities. Additionally, COX-2 expression and PGE2 release were suppressed after 24 h of LPS stimulation and treatment with plant extracts (8–64 µg/ml). Conclusions A. ricinella extracts showed the ability to reduce the inflammatory effect exerted by LPS in murine macrophages. However, further studies should confirm their anti-inflammatory activity.
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