Characterisation and Antioxidant Activity of Crude Extract and Polyphenolic Rich Fractions from C. incanus Leaves

Abstract

Cistus incanus (Cistaceae) is a Mediterranean evergreen shrub. Cistus incanus herbal teas have been used as a general remedy in traditional medicine since ancient times. Recent studies on the antioxidant properties of its aqueous extracts have indicated polyphenols to be the most active compounds. However, a whole chemical characterisation of polyphenolic compounds in leaves of Cistus incanus (C. incanus) is still lacking. Moreover, limited data is available on the contribution of different polyphenolic compounds towards the total antioxidant capacity of its extracts. The purpose of this study was to characterise the major polyphenolic compounds present in a crude ethanolic leaf extract (CEE) of C. incanus and develop a method for their fractionation. Superoxide anion, hydroxyl and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assays were also performed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the obtained fractions. Three different polyphenolic enriched extracts, namely EAC (Ethyl Acetate Fraction), AF1 and AF2 (Aqueos Fractions), were obtained from CEE. Our results indicated that the EAC, enriched in flavonols, exhibited a higher antiradical activity compared to the tannin enriched fractions (AF1 and AF2). These findings provide new perspectives for the use of the EAC as a source of antioxidant compounds with potential uses in pharmaceutical preparations.

Characterization of Cistus × incanus L. and Cistus ladanifer L. Extracts as Potential Multifunctional Antioxidant Ingredients for Skin Protecting Cosmetics

“…Having read several scientific publications on Cistus spp. and comparing them with the herein presented results it can be clearly seen, that similar components of phenolic nature are identified and listed by different authors [7,12].…”

“…The highest antioxidant activity was shown for 60% SOX (IC 50 = 3.81 ± 0.36 µg/mL) and 60% M C. incanus extract (IC 50 = 4.05 ± 0.43 µg/mL) ( Table 2). Previous studies showed that C. incanus extracts and polyphenolic rich fractions are effective DPPH scavengers (IC 50 = 2.99 ± 1.18 µM for crude ethanolic extract and 0.92 ± 0.10 µM for ethyl acetate fraction in DPPH scavenging assay) [12]. The antioxidant activity of polyphenols from C. incanus was also confirmed by in vitro studies, where incubation of hamster fibroblast cells (V79) with C. incanus fraction enriched in catechins and procyanidins reduced the intracellular ROS levels by 30-40% [28].…”

“…Extracts from C. incanus leaves showed antimycotic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties in vitro [8][9][10][11]. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of C. incanus possess also significant antioxidant activity [12]. C. ladanifer extracts showed antimicrobial activity against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains, pathogenic yeast, and fungi [13][14][15].…”

Chemical characterization and antioxidant properties of products and by‐products from Olea europaea L.

“…Particular attention was devoted to the evaluation of radical scavenging activity, via Trolox‐equivalent antioxidant capacity assays (TEAC) following the quenching of two different radicals, ABTS cation, through UV‐Vis spectrophotometry, and neutral DPPH, through UV‐Vis and EPR techniques (Polovka, ; Prior, Wu, & Schaich, ; Thaipong, Boonprakob, Crosby, Cisneros‐Zevallos, & Byrne, ; Yu & Cheng, ). EPR spectroscopy is a straightforward tool for the radical determination, and it has been previously applied for the determination of antioxidant activity of crude extracts and galloyl quinic derivatives, as well as antioxidant defense and oxidative damage processes evaluation against stress conditions (Baratto et al, ; Fini et al, ; Gori et al, ; Megar et al, ). Selected polyphenols have been also identified and quantified through HPLC‐UV and HPLC‐MS/MS techniques, optimizing the analytical protocols on the basis of the chemical properties of the matrix and analytes.…”

<em>Cistus incanus</em> L. as an Innovative Functional Additive to Wheat Bread

“…Cistaceae is a small family of plants comprising shrubs that are commonly found in the Mediterranean climate [1,2]. The plants of Cistus species are used in the preparation of folk medicines, in the form of anti-diarrheal agents, to provide protection against various skin diseases, and as anti-inflammatory agents [2,3]. Different species of Cistus are used as herbal infusions, food additives, or nutraceutical products [4].…”