Phenolic Acids Profile, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Chamomile, Common Yarrow and Immortelle (Asteraceae)

Abstract

Chamomile, common yarrow and immortelle ethanolic extracts were chemically analysed with respect to phenolics. Twelve phenolic acids were separated and identified by HPLC-DAD and the presence of rosmarinic acid was additionally confirmed by LC-MS. Five methods were applied for the evaluation of extracts’ antioxidant properties (FRAP, DPPH, ABTS, chelating activity, Briggs-Rauscher reaction), while the antibacterial activity was tested against some of the major food-borne pathogens ( Campylobacter coli, Escherichia coli, Salmonella Infantis, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus). Immortelle extract was the richest in phenolics with a dominant flavonoid fraction, while the other two extracts contained higher amount of non-flavonoids. The phenolic acid profile also varied; high concentration of rosmarinic acid was found in chamomile and common yarrow, while caffeic acid was dominant in immortelle. The best antioxidant properties were obtained for chamomile extract, while good antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram-positive bacterial species, was detected for immortelle. The obtained results could be used as a tool for chemotaxonomic classification of the investigated plants or for their potential application as natural antioxidants/antimicrobials.

A systematic review study of therapeutic effects of Matricaria recuitta chamomile (chamomile)

“…Antioxidant properties of chamomile ethanolic extracts were examined. Its antioxidant property was confirmed via presence of high concentration of rosmarinic acid ( 52 ). The antibacterial effect of the fractions of chamomile was evaluated against two gram-negative bacteria.…”

Chemical Constituents and Biologic Activities of Sage Species: A Comparison between Salvia officinalis L., S. glutinosa L. and S. transsylvanica (Schur ex Griseb. & Schenk) Schur

“…The selective activity of S. officinalis extract on E. cloacae was also confirmed in experiments of Bouajaj et al [42] who reported the above-mentioned strain to be highly sensitive to sage essential oil. Conversely, in the study of Mekinić et al [43] an 80% ethanolic extract of Salvia showed higher activity on the Gram-positive B. cereus and S. aureus, (MIC 1.68 and 0.34 mg mL −1 , respectively) compared to Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli (MIC 6.78 mg mL −1 ) [43]. The different antibacterial activity could be mainly related to the phytochemical profile that registered relevant qualitative (in our samples are present metabolites as epicatechin, o-coumaric acid and t-cinnamic acid while quercetin, t-ferulic acid that are reported in the study of Mekinić et al [43] were not detected) as well as quantitative differences.…”

“…Conversely, in the study of Mekinić et al [43] an 80% ethanolic extract of Salvia showed higher activity on the Gram-positive B. cereus and S. aureus, (MIC 1.68 and 0.34 mg mL −1 , respectively) compared to Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli (MIC 6.78 mg mL −1 ) [43]. The different antibacterial activity could be mainly related to the phytochemical profile that registered relevant qualitative (in our samples are present metabolites as epicatechin, o-coumaric acid and t-cinnamic acid while quercetin, t-ferulic acid that are reported in the study of Mekinić et al [43] were not detected) as well as quantitative differences. E. cloacae is a part of the intestinal and skin microflora, but can become pathological when it infects different apparatus, such as respiratory or urinary tracts, conditions that are not rare in immunosuppressed subjects or hospitalized patients.…”

Experimental and clinical antihypertensive activity of Matricaria chamomilla extracts and their angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitory activity

“…Many chemical constituents have been identified in chamomile flower including terpenoids and flavonoids (Srivastava & Gupta, 2009). It has been reported that Chamomile has moderate antioxidant (Kato et al, 2008), antimicrobial activities (Mekinić et al, 2014), and significant antiplatelet activity in vitro (Pierre, Crosbie, & Duttaroy, 2005). Animal model studies indicate potent anti-inflammatory action (Drummond et al, 2013), some antimutagenic, cholesterol-lowering activities, as well as antispasmotic and anxiolytic effects (Sharafzadeh & Alizadeh, 2011).…”