Biological Activities of Aerial Parts Extracts of Euphorbia characias.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-HIV, and cholinesterase inhibitory activities of aqueous and alcoholic extracts from leaves, stems, and flowers of Euphorbia characias. The extracts showed a high antioxidant activity and were a good source of total polyphenols and flavonoids. Ethanolic extracts from leaves and flowers displayed the highest inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, showing potential properties against Alzheimer's disease. Antimicrobial assay showed that leaves and flowers extracts were active against all Gram-positive bacteria tested. The ethanolic leaves extract appeared to have the strongest antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus with MIC value of 312.5 μg/mL followed by Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus that also exhibited good sensitivity with MIC values of 1250 μg/mL. Moreover, all the extracts possessed anti-HIV activity. The ethanolic flower extract was the most potent inhibitor of HIV-1 RT DNA polymerase RNA-dependent and Ribonuclease H with IC50 values of 0.26 and 0.33 μg/mL, respectively. The LC-DAD metabolic profile showed that ethanolic leaves extract contains high levels of quercetin derivatives. This study suggests that Euphorbia characias extracts represent a good source of natural bioactive compounds which could be useful for pharmaceutical application as well as in food system for the prevention of the growth of food-borne bacteria and to extend the shelf-life of processed foods.
Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy.
Maria Barbara
MB
Pisano
Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy.
Sofia
S
Cosentino
Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy.
Silvia
S
Viale
Department of Sciences of Life and Environment, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy.
Delia
D
Spanò
Department of Sciences of Life and Environment, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy.
Angela
A
Corona
Department of Sciences of Life and Environment, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy.
Francesca
F
Esposito
Department of Sciences of Life and Environment, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy.
Enzo
E
Tramontano
Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy.
Paola
P
Montoro
Department of Sciences of Life and Environment, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy.
Carlo Ignazio Giovanni
CI
Tuberoso
Department of Sciences of Life and Environment, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy.
Rosaria
R
Medda
Department of Sciences of Life and Environment, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy.
Francesca
F
Pintus
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D028481:Euphorbia / Q000737:chemistry*; D006678:HIV / Q000187:drug effects; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts