Abstract
To evaluate the fluctuation of secondary metabolites in Arabian lilac during a year, aerial parts of the plant were harvested in the middle of each month. The essential oils content from fresh and dried plant materials was analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS), individually. Phytochemical contents, along with antiradical scavenging potential of the related methanol extracts were separately assessed. The spring and autumn samples (fresh and dried) yielded more essential oil than the other samples. Forty-one compounds were identified totally in the oils and the major constituents characterized were β-caryophyllene, sabinene, and caryophyllene oxide. The extracts obtained from winter and summer plants possessed the highest total phenolics. The maximum amount of total flavonoid content was measured in winter (December and January), whereas the minimum one was observed in spring (March). The summer and winter samples showed the highest and lowest content of flavones and flavanols, respectively, whereas the anthocyanin content was higher in winter than in summer. Moreover, antiradical activity of the extracts in summer and winter samples was higher than in other seasons. Overall, this study can provide useful information regarding the best harvest period of Arabian lilac to yield the desired compounds for application in phytopharmaceutical and food industries.
Highlights
The Vitex genus (Verbenaceae family) comprises nearly 270 species predominantly of trees and shrubs that are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, along with some species growing in the temperate zones [1]
The results demonstrated that the essential oils (EOs) content underwent profound changes that seemed to strongly depend on on the the collection collection time time (p (p < 0.01)
The EO content extracted from fresh and dried aerial parts of Arabian lilac significantly varied in different collection periods and the samples harvested in spring and autumn showed higher EO contents than those collected during summer and winter
Summary
The Vitex genus (Verbenaceae family) comprises nearly 270 species predominantly of trees and shrubs that are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, along with some species growing in the temperate zones [1] Many species of this genus have been extensively commended because of notable therapeutic effects on several female disorders such as endometriosis, abnormal menstrual cycle, menopausal conditions, corpus luteum insufficiency, hyper-prolactinaemia, infertility, acne, menopause, disrupted lactation, and cyclic breast pain, and, Vitex genus has been. Foods 2019, 8, 52 known as female herb since ancient times [2] This genus possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-histaminic, anti-microbial, anti-pyretic, analgesic, and antioxidant activities and is used to remedy asthma, allergies, skin illnesses, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal and liver diseases. The aforementioned benefits are attributed to the existence of a wide array of active substances including essential oils (EOs), phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, and anthraquinones, etc. [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
