Changes in the Content of Some Groups of Phenolic Compounds and Biological Activity of Extracts of Various Parts of Heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull) at Different Growth Stages

Abstract

Heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull.) is noted for a diverse chemical composition and a broad range of biological activity. The current study was aimed at monitoring changes in the accumulation of certain groups of phenolic compounds in various organs of heather (leaves, stems, roots, rhizomes, flowers, and seeds) at different growth stages (vegetative, floral budding, flowering, and seed ripening) as well as studying antioxidant (employing the DPPH and FRAP assays) and antibacterial activity of its extracts. The highest total amount of phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and proanthocyanidins was detected in leaves and roots at all growth stages, except for the flowering stage. At the flowering stage, the highest content of some groups of phenolic compounds (flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins) was observed in flowers. Highest antioxidant activity was recorded for the flower extracts (about 500 mg of ascorbic acid equivalents per gram according to the DPPH assay) and for the leaf extract at the ripening stage (about 350 mg of ascorbic acid equivalents per gram according to the FRAP assay). Strong correlation was noted between antioxidant activity (DPPH) and the content of anthocyanins (r = 0.75, p ≤ 0.01) as well as between antioxidant activity (FRAP) and the total content of phenolic compounds (r = 0.77, p ≤ 0.01). Leaf extracts and stem extracts turned out to perform antibacterial action against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, whereas root extracts appeared to be active only against B. subtilis, and rhizome extracts against E. coli.

Dynamics of Polyphenol Biosynthesis by Calli Cultures, Suspension Cultures and Wild Specimens of the Medicinal Plant Ligaria cuneifolia (Ruiz & Pav.) Tiegh. (Loranthaceae). Analysis of Their Biological Activity

“…These results correlate with those found in Geoffroea decorticans extracts, in which leaves showed higher levels of HCA derivatives when compared to stems [33]. Chapel [16], working with Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull, reported that the higher amounts of polyphenolic compounds, including HCA, were found in stems and leaves at all phenological stages except during flowering, while no significant differences in PA content were observed among different organs and phenological stages. As in L. cuneifolia, PA were also found in adult plants of the Mexican mistletoes Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subsp.…”

“…Dobrecky [15] has also identified QE Production of secondary metabolites, including plant polyphenolics, depends on numerous factors, such as growth conditions (light, temperature, altitude, nutrient availability), plant phenological stage, and organ. Changes in the polyphenolic content are related to variations in the expression of the genes encoding the activity of enzymes involved in their biosynthesis [16]. Consequently, the analysis of polyphenolic compounds in different phenological stages and organs is relevant to increase the knowledge on polyphenol dynamics in L. cuneifolia and to harvest it at the highest levels of bioactive compounds.…”

Investigation of Phenolic Composition, Antioxidant Capacity, and Antidiabetic Effect of Ornithogalum lanceolatum L.: An in vitro Study

“…Biosynthesis of various phenolic compounds in plants depends on some factors, such as; species specificity, vegetation period, and growing conditions (climatic factors, water, light, altitude, and soil properties, etc.) (Chepel et al, 2020). Moreover, plants can produce various phenolic compounds at different growth stages and accumulate them in their bulb and/or other parts (Feduraev et al, 2019).…”

Traditional Latvian herbal medicinal plants used to treat parasite infections of small ruminants: A review

“…Reduced numbers of released T. colubriformis egg are found, although heather increases immunity to parasites [ 119 ]. When heather is fed to experimentally infected goats, it is associated with a reduction in the establishment of T. colubriformis larvae and a significant decrease in nematode egg excretion by the host [ 122 ]. The aerial components of heather have been studied during different growth stages; however, heather’s medicinal properties are mainly described in traditional medicine, the plant’s pharmacologic potential is a focus of current investigations.…”

“…Heather herb possesses antioxidant activity, and its antibacterial effects are mediated by the leaf, stem, rhizome, and root extracts. Leaf and stem extracts inhibit the infectivities of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and roots are active against Bacillus subtilis , and extracts of the rhizome are active against E. coli [ 122 ]. Further, combinations of the active substances and amounts differ according to the season and are higher during growth.…”