A Study of the Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Michelia macclurei Dandy Heartwood: New Sources of Natural Antioxidants, Enzyme Inhibitors and Bacterial Inhibitors

Abstract

The wood of Michelia macclurei Dandy (MD) is an excellent material that is widely used in the furniture, handicraft, and construction industries. However, less research has been conducted on the chemical composition and biological activity of heartwood, which is the main valuable part of the wood. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and biological activities of the heartwood of Michelia macclurei Dandy (MDHW) and to confirm the active ingredients. Triple quadrupole gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to characterize the volatile components of MDHW, while ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to analyze the non-volatile components (UPLC-MS). The total reducing power, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays, acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays, and an antimicrobial test of 4 gram bacteria were used to describe the in vitro bioactivities. The GC-MS analysis showed that the volatile components of MDHW were mainly fatty compounds and terpenoids, with sesquiterpenes and their derivatives dominating the terpene composition. β-elemene was the main terpene component in the steam distillation (11.88%) and ultrasonic extraction (8.2%) methods. A total of 67 compounds, comprising 45 alkaloids, 9 flavonoids, 6 lignans, and others, were found by UPLC-MS analysis. The primary structural kinds of the non-volatile components were 35 isoquinoline alkaloids. Alkaloids were the predominant active constituent in all MDHW extracts, including crude extracts, alkaloid fractions, and non-alkaloid fractions. These extracts all demonstrate some biological effects in terms of antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and bacterial inhibition. The findings of this study show that MDHW is abundant in chemical structure types, has great bioactivity assessment, and has the potential to be used to create natural antioxidants, products that postpone Alzheimer’s disease and lower blood sugar levels and antibacterial agents.

Comparison of Composition, Free-Radical-Scavenging Capacity, and Antibiosis of Fresh and Dry Leave Aqueous Extract from Michelia shiluensis

“…Other substances, including monoterpene alcohols, β-caryophyllene, and β-elemene, are also notably present. Furthermore, diterpenes and homoterpenes are rarely observed in MSFLAE and other Michelia species, possibly because the members of the Magnoliaceae family are the most primitive angiosperms and, therefore, lack or have lower levels of homoterpenes [ 22 ].…”

“…28, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of[16][17][18][19]. Studies conducted by Sahoo et al[20], Cheng et al[21], Chen et al[22], and D et al[23] supported these findings, demonstrating a prevalence of sesquiterpenes an their derivatives, such as sesquiterpene alcohols and sesquiterpene oxides, within t Michelia genus. Other substances, including monoterpene alcohols, β-caryophyllene, an β-elemene, are also notably present.…”

“…Terpenoids and many of their oxygenated derivatives are considered critical raw materials for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries due to their strong biological activity and aromatic properties [16][17][18][19]. Studies conducted by Sahoo et al [20], Cheng et al [21], Chen et al [22], and Dai et al [23] supported these findings, demonstrating a prevalence of sesquiterpenes and their derivatives, such as sesquiterpene alcohols and sesquiterpene oxides, within the Michelia genus.…”