Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Ilex Leaves Water Extracts

Abstract

Plants from the Ilex genus are known for properties such as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity, can act as antiobesity agents and thus can be helpful in medicine. Some holly species, such as Ilex paraguariensis (widely known in the form of popular beverage: yerba mate), have been investigated, while others have been partially researched or remain unknown. Therefore, we performed qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses and screened antimicrobial properties of lesser-studied species (I. aquifolium L., I. aquifolium ‘Argentea Marginata’ and I. × meserveae ‘Blue Angel’). I. paraguariensis was used as a standard species for comparison purposes. Investigations were performed on water extracts due to their expected activity and composition. Antimicrobial research included evaluating minimal inhibitory, bactericidal (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and fungicidal concentration (Candida albicans, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, and Aspergillus niger) of extracts. The influence of the extracts on the production, eradication, and viability of bacterial biofilms was also analysed. It was established that Ilex paraguariensis possesses the richest profile of hydroxycinnamic acids derivatives in terms of component concentration and diversity. Ilex spp., especially I. × meserveae, contain a slightly higher amount of flavonoids and more different flavonoid derivatives than I. paraguariensis. However, the strongest antibacterial activity was shown by I. aquifolium L. and its cultivar ‘Argentea Marginata’ in terms of minimal inhibitory, bactericidal and fungicidal concentration, and biofilm assays. Extracts from both species significantly reduced the biofilm viability of S. aureus as well, which may be of use in the production of multicomponent lavaseptics, antiseptics, diuretics (supporting urinary tract infection therapy) and, due to their action on fungi, additives to growth media for specific fungi. The significant content of saponins enables Ilex extracts to be used as natural emulsifiers, for example, in cosmetics. Moreover, relatively high chlorogenic acid and rutin content may suggest use of Ilex spp. to treat obesity, digestive problems, in chemoprevention, and as preservatives in the food industry.

Hibiscus, Rooibos, and Yerba Mate for Healthy Aging: A Review on the Attenuation of In Vitro and In Vivo Markers Related to Oxidative Stress, Glycoxidation, and Neurodegeneration

“…Yerba mate infusions are either consumed from green or toasted leaves. According to scientific reports, the leaves have been demonstrated to be predominantly composed of chlorogenic acids and xanthine derivatives, such as caffeine and theobromine, which have antioxidant (in vitro) [ 107 ], as well as hepatoprotective (in vivo) [ 108 ], antimicrobial [ 109 ], and anti-cancer (in vitro) effects [ 110 ].…”

Biological Potential and Chemical Profile of European Varieties of Ilex

“…Although the European species have been well characterized botanically, knowledge of the biological properties of each fraction substance, as compared to the South American species, is incomplete [ 25 ]. Based on the origin of different biochemical pathways, the metabolites produced by plants can be divided into three chemical groups: terpenoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds [ 26 , 27 ]. A phytochemical analysis of Yerba mate revealed the presence of a dominant fraction of polyphenols that include caffeoyl derivatives such as caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid [ 28 , 29 ].…”

Assessing Phenotypic Variability in Some Eastern European Insular Populations of the Climatic Relict Ilex aquifolium L.

“…A smaller number of phytochemical fractions are described in other species belonging to the Ilex genus: Ilex pubescens Hook. and Arn.—uvaol [ 61 ], Ilex macropoda Miq.—betulinic acid [ 62 ], Ilex guayusa Loes.—amino acids [ 63 ], Ilex cornuta Lindl.—phenolic carboxylic acid derivatives [ 64 ], Ilex integra Thunb.—carboxylic acid [ 65 ], Ilex kaushue S.Y.Hu—di-O-caffeoylquinic acid isomer derivatives [ 66 ], Ilex × meserveae S. Y.Hu—matesaponin 4 [ 67 ], Ilex sp.—rutin, isorhamnetin derivatives, feruloylquinic acid isomers and quinic acid—[ 22 , 43 ]. There were similarities between the phytochemical fractions in the present study and those presented in other recent studies for oleanolic and ursolic acids in Ilex aquifolium [ 68 ] and citric acid and hexadecanedioic acid [ 69 ].…”

“…The Ilex aquifolium species has been well described previously from an ecological and botanical point of view, but only briefly from the point of view of its phytochemical compounds. Based on the origin of the main metabolic pathways and on previous studies, four classes of dominant compounds can be characterized: alkaloids, terpenes, sterols and phenolic derivatives [ 21 , 42 , 43 , 44 ].…”