Mentha Rhizomes as an Alternative Source of Natural Antioxidants

Abstract

Unlike its aerial parts, the underground parts of Mentha have so far been studied only marginally. By examining the polyphenolic fingerprint, the antioxidant efficacy and the mutual antioxidant behaviour of mixtures of mint rhizomes, our study presents a modest contribution to addressing this gap. Firstly, we examined the composition of the mint rhizomes: Mentha × piperita cv. ‘Perpeta’ (MPP), M. longifolia (ML), and M. × villosa cv. ‘Snežna’ (MVS). Our LC-MS-DAD analysis revealed the presence of ten compounds belonging to groups of phenolic acids and flavonoids, of which the rosmarinic acid (RA) and lithospermic were most strongly represented. Secondly, we evaluated the antioxidant activity of rhizome infusions by DPPH and ABTS and on NIH/3T3 cell lines by DCFH-DA. Thirdly, we determined, examined, and explained the mutual interactions of rhizome infusions mixtures. While most of the combinations acted additive, synergy was observed in ternary infusion mixtures. The synergic action was also detected in the combination of MPP rhizome infusion and RA in the DCFH-DA test. The combinations of mint rhizomes and rosmarinic acid displayed a high dose-reduction index. This leads to beneficial dose reduction at a given antioxidant effect level in mixtures, compared to the dose of the parts used alone. So far, the pharmaceutical and food industry has not used mint rhizomes in commercial products. Hence, our study draws attention to further applications of the Mentha rhizomes as a valuable alternative source of natural antioxidants.

Biologically Active Compounds of Plants: Structure-Related Antioxidant, Microbiological and Cytotoxic Activity of Selected Carboxylic Acids

“…CFA exhibited from 32.1% to 92.9% free radical removal capability [ 76 , 84 , 92 ] with the minimal IC 50 value equal 17.5 µmol/L [ 93 ]. The IC 50 value reported for RA was 2.91 µmol/L [ 94 ]. ChA exhibited 49.1% free radical cation removal capability.…”

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of Four Lycopus Taxa and an Interaction Study of Their Major Compounds

“…Some external antioxidants could help intracellular antioxidant systems to reduce the damage due to free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the chosen method, we used the fluorescence-based indicator DCFH-DA [41,42]. As a generator of oxidative stress, we used H 2 O 2 and we studied the inhibition of artificially created oxidative stress in the presence of plant samples.…”