title: Phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities in six species of ramie leaves.
abstract: Increased consumption of vegetables or plant food has been associated with decreased risk of developing major chronic diseases, such as cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and age-related functional decline. Ramie leaves are rich in phenolics and flavonoids, which have been suggested for human health benefits. Phenolic contents, flavonoid contents, phenolic compounds, and anti-cancer properties in six species of ramie leaves were analyzed by Folin-reagent method, sodium borohydride/chloranil-based assay (SBC), HPLC method and antiproliferation, cytoxicity, respectively. Antioxidant activities were measured through peroxyl radical scavenging capacity (PSC) method, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method, and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA). Research indicated that Boehmeria penduliflora contained the highest total phenolic content (2313.7±27.28 mg GAE/100 g FW), and flavonoid content (1682.4±27.70 mg CAE/100 g FW). Boehmeria tricuspis showed the highest PSC value (9574.8±117.63 µM vit. C equiv./100 g FW), while Boehmeria penduliflora indicated the highest ORAC value (330.44±16.88 µmol Trolox equiv./g FW). The antioxidant activities were correlated with phenolic contents and flavonoid contents. Boehmeria tricuspis had the highest antiproliferative capacity with the lowest EC₅₀ (4.11±0.19 mg/mL). The results for the analyzed ramie for CAA were significantly different from each other (p<0.05), Boehmeria tricuspis had the highest CAA value (133.63±7.10 µmol QE/100 g). Benzoic acid, 4-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid were the dominant phenolic ingredients in the ramie leaves according to HPLC analysis. Our research is the first report to study the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities in different species of ramie leaves for their health benefit.
authors.affiliation: School of Light Industry and Food Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, The People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yongsheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America.
authors.forename: Gaoyan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Light Industry and Food Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, The People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, Hunan, The People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Chaohua
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, Hunan, The People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Gonggu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zang
authors.affiliation: School of Light Industry and Food Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, The People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xinbo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: School of Light Industry and Food Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, The People's Republic of China; Department of Food Science and Institute of Comparative and Environmental Toxicology, Stocking Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America.
authors.forename: Rui Hai
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D032402:Boehmeria / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts