Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cytoprotective Effects of Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Fruit Extracts

Abstract

Cornus mas L. is characterized by an increased quantity of bioactive compounds, namely polyphenols, monoterpenes, organic acids, vitamin C and lipophilic compounds such as carotenoids, being anciently used in the treatment of various diseases. This paper’s objectives were to characterize the phytochemical profile of Cornus mas L. fruits and to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytoprotective effects on renal cells exposed to gentamicin. As such, two ethanolic extracts were obtained. The resulting extracts were used to assess the total polyphenols, flavonoids and carotenoids through spectral and chromatographic methods. The antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays. Due to the high content of phenolic compounds analyzed in fruits and the results obtained regarding antioxidant capacity, we decided to further use the ethanolic extract to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial and cytoprotective effects on renal cells stressed with gentamicin. The antimicrobial activity was assessed using agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods, with great results regarding Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The cytotoxic activity was assessed using MTT and Annexin-V assays. According to the findings, extract-treated cells had a higher cell viability. However, at high concentrations, viability was shown to decline, most likely due to the extract and gentamicin’s additive effects.

The Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Cell-Protective Properties of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Rowanberry (Sorbus aucuparia L.) Fruits In Vitro

“…Following the co-treatment of gentamicin and Cornus mas L. extract, a substantial diminution of cell apoptosis was observed at the first two concentrations. However, the largest dosage was shown to be highly toxic to cells, indicating a lower viability rate than cells that were exposed to the antibiotic alone [ 63 ]. The current study’s findings are mostly in line with the outcomes of this previous inquiry.…”

“…K., Garwolin, Poland) adjusted to 45 °C had been employed to defrost and dry the berries for one week, with their subsequent mincing into a powdered material. Following fruit pulverization, an ethanolic extract was prepared in accordance with earlier research performed in our lab [ 63 ]. Briefly, a mixture of 10 g powder and 100 mL ethanol 96% was homogenized (2 homogenizing steps of 2 h at 1000 rpm using a magnetic stirrer–VELP Scientifica, Monza-Brianza, Italy), filtered and concentrated by evaporation, using a 45 °C Eppendorf Concentrator Plus evaporator (Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany).…”

“…These experiments were carried out according to the previously mentioned study [ 63 ]. In brief, the total amount of phenolic compounds was assessed using the Folin–Ciocalteu technique and measured at 765 nm.…”

“…Phenolic acids were detected at 280 nm, flavonoids at 340 nm, and anthocyanins at 520 nm, in the 200–600 nm range of the spectrum data. Data were collected and analyzed using Agilent ChemStation software (Chelmsford, MA, USA) [ 63 ]. The measurements were performed in triplicate.…”

“…The evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of the Sorbus aucuparia L. carotenoid extract was carried out using Radical Scavenging Activity (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays. These analyzes were performed in triplicate, according to an earlier study [ 63 ]. In brief, for the DPPH test, various concentrations of 2 mL extract were combined with 2 mL DPPH concentrated solution (0.10 g/L).…”