Cytotoxic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant Properties and Effects on Cell Migration of Phenolic Compounds of Selected Transylvanian Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Medicinal plants are widely used in folk medicine but quite often their composition and biological effects are hardly known. Our study aimed to analyze the composition, cytotoxicity, antimicrobial, antioxidant activity and cellular migration effects of Anthyllis vulneraria, Fuchsia magellanica, Fuchsia triphylla and Lysimachia nummularia used in the Romanian ethnomedicine for wounds. Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to analyze 50% (v/v) ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the plants’ leaves. Antimicrobial activities were estimated with a standard microdilution method. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by validated chemical cell-free and biological cell-based assays. Cytotoxic effects were performed on mouse fibroblasts and human keratinocytes with a plate reader-based method assessing intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP), nucleic acid and protein contents and also by a flow cytometer-based assay detecting apoptotic–necrotic cell populations. Cell migration to cover cell-free areas was visualized by time-lapse phase-contrast microscopy using standard culture inserts. Fuchsia species showed the strongest cytotoxicity and the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. However, their ethanolic extracts facilitated cell migration, most probably due to their various phenolic acid, flavonoid and anthocyanin derivatives. Our data might serve as a basis for further animal experiments to explore the complex action of Fuchsia species in wound healing assays.

Cosmetic and Dermatological Properties of Selected Ayurvedic Plant Extracts

“…Plant extracts are a valuable source of many bioactive substances that are responsible for their ability to increase the proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts [ 54 ]. As Csepregi et al [ 55 ] have shown, many plants have proven properties to increase the viability and migration of skin cells. This action is one of the most important factors in the wound healing and prevention of skin aging processes.…”

“…This action is one of the most important factors in the wound healing and prevention of skin aging processes. Organic acids, polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins and proteins are the main active ingredients of plants that are responsible for increase of proliferation of skin cells [ 55 , 56 ]. Among many active substances of plants, the strongest ability to improve the skin cells proliferation is shown by, e.g., caffeic acid and its derivatives, coumaric acid, gallic acid, rutin, quercetin and their derivatives [ 55 , 56 ].…”

“…Organic acids, polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins and proteins are the main active ingredients of plants that are responsible for increase of proliferation of skin cells [ 55 , 56 ]. Among many active substances of plants, the strongest ability to improve the skin cells proliferation is shown by, e.g., caffeic acid and its derivatives, coumaric acid, gallic acid, rutin, quercetin and their derivatives [ 55 , 56 ]. As literature data shows [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ], one of the most valuable plant extracts with proliferative properties of various kinds of cells is Centella asiatica L. extract (Gotu kola).…”

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“…S. capsicoides and S. xanthocarpum, which were interchangeably used as the source of raw drug for many Ayurvedic preparations, can be attributed to the same properties as evidenced from the present study. Antioxidants also show antitumour, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic effects [51][52][53][54][55] . A study on the antioxidant potential in relation to total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins and carotenoids was reported in the whole kernels of different wheat genotypes 56 .…”

Comprehensive Phytochemical Characterization of Herbal Parts from Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulnerariaL.) by LC/MSnand GC/MS

“…However, because of more recent studies revealing interesting biological features like radical scavenging, antioxidative, astringent and antiviral activities in vitro , [8–10] the plant becomes increasingly interesting for the cosmetic and herbal industries [11] . Accordingly, extracts from A. vulneraria have been employed for several years in anthroposophic and herbal cosmetic remedies as functional ingredients [6]…”