title: Phenolic profile, antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibitory activities of extracts from aromatic plants used in Mediterranean diet.
abstract: The antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties of methanolic extracts from four aromatic plants used in traditional medicine and food [Calamintha nepeta(L.) Savi subsp.nepeta,Helichrysum italicumsubsp.picardiiFranco,Mentha spicataL. andOriganum vulgaresubsp.virens(Hoffmanns. & Link) Bonnier & Layens] were evaluated. The extract fromO. vulgareexhibited the strongest DPPH (IC50of 4.65 ± 0.12 µg/ml) and ABTS (1479.56 ± 12.29 µmolTE/gextract) scavenging capacities, as well as the largest ferric reducing ability (1746.76 ± 45.11 µmolAAE/gextract). This extract also showed the highest total phenolic content (1597.20 ± 24.10 µmolGAE/gextract) and although HPLC-DAD analysis revealed rosmarinic acid as the main compound of the extract, other compounds seem to be involved in the antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the extract fromH. italicum, which was found to be rich in caffeoylquinic and dicaffeoylquinic acids and in pinocembrin, showed the highest inhibitory potential against acetylcholinesterase, tyrosinase and α-glucosidase. Overall, the results obtained validate the usefulness of the studied plants as valuable sources of natural agents beneficial for human health.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences and Technology, MeditBio, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Ed. 8, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences and Technology, MeditBio, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Ed. 8, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Elsa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: REQUIMTE/LAQV, Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grosso
authors.affiliation: REQUIMTE/LAQV, Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paula B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.affiliation: REQUIMTE/LAQV, Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valentão
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences and Technology, MeditBio, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Ed. 8, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Anabela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Romano
keywords: Antioxidants; Curry plant; Lesser calamint; Oregano; Phenolic compounds; Spearmint