Stachys Species: Comparative Evaluation of Phenolic Profile and Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Potential

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the polyphenolic composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of six Romanian Stachys species: S. officinalis, S. germanica, S. byzantina, S. sylvatica, S. palustris, and S. recta. The LC-MS/MS method was used to analyze the polyphenolic profile, while the phenolic contents were spectrophotometrically determined. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the following methods: DPPH, FRAP, nitrite-induced autooxidation of hemoglobin, inhibition of cytochrome c-catalyzed lipid peroxidation, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The in vitro antimicrobial properties were assessed using agar-well diffusion, broth microdilution, and antibiofilm assays. Fifteen polyphenols were identified using LC-MS and chlorogenic acid was the major component in all the samples (1131.8–6761.4 μg/g). S. germanica, S. palustris, and S. byzantina extracts each displayed an intense antiradical action in relation to high contents of TPC (6.40 mg GAE/mL), flavonoids (3.90 mg RE/mL), and caffeic acid derivatives (0.89 mg CAE/mL). In vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties were exhibited towards Candida albicans, Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, with the most intense efficacy recorded for S. germanica and S. byzantina when tested against S. aureus. These results highlighted Stachys extracts as rich sources of bioactive compounds with promising antioxidant and antimicrobial efficacies and important perspectives for developing phytopharmaceuticals.

Anthelminthic and antimicrobial effects of hedge woundwort (Stachys sylvatica L.) growing in Southern Kazakhstan

“…However, it is worth mentioning that chlorogenic acid derivatives were reported in research including other Stachys species, e.g., isochlorogenic acid was found in S. officinalis L. ( Vundać et al, 2005 ; Kanjevac et al, 2023 ), while neochlorogenic and cryptochlorogenic acids in S. palustris L. ( Kartsev et al, 1994 ). Similarly, we detected multiple luteolin derivatives, which were not detected in other studies concerning S. sylvatica L. ( Benedec et al, 2023 ; Di Stasi et al, 2023 ).…”

“…For instance, this phenolic acid was found to be the dominant metabolite in the hydroethanolic extract (70% v/v) from aerial parts of S. sylvatica L. growing in Romania, where its concentration was 5.55 mg/g dry extract. The SSE was also found to contain high amounts of luteolin derivatives (1.49 mg/g dry extract), including luteolin 7- O -glucoside and luteolin 7- O -glucuronide ( Benedec et al, 2023 ). According to the review of Tomou et al, this flavone and its derivatives were reported to be identified in aerial parts or leaves of several Stachys species, e.g., S. aegyptiaca Pers., S. chrysantha Boiss.…”

“…The chemical profile obtained for the investigated SSE partially differs from other S. sylvatica L. extracts, where all investigated samples were derived from plants growing in Europe (Italy or Romania). Phenolcarboxylic acids, mostly chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid, are often found metabolites in S. sylvatica L. ( Apostolescu et al, 2023 ; Benedec et al, 2023 ; Di Stasi et al, 2023 ). While in our extract chlorogenic acid was found, no remaining two acids were identified.…”

“…While in our extract chlorogenic acid was found, no remaining two acids were identified. Additionally, quantitative analysis revealed that S. sylvatica L. collected in Kazakhstan is rich in numerous chlorogenic acid derivatives, e.g., isochlorogenic acid or cryptochlorogenic acid, rarely reported in samples collected in other parts of the world ( Benedec et al, 2023 ; Di Stasi et al, 2023 ). However, it is worth mentioning that chlorogenic acid derivatives were reported in research including other Stachys species, e.g., isochlorogenic acid was found in S. officinalis L. ( Vundać et al, 2005 ; Kanjevac et al, 2023 ), while neochlorogenic and cryptochlorogenic acids in S. palustris L. ( Kartsev et al, 1994 ).…”

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

“…The Sorbus aucuparia L. extract was further investigated using the broth microdilution method [ 68 ]. Based on this assay, values for the minimum inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal (MBC) concentrations were determined.…”