Assessment of flavonoids and phenolic compound accumulation in invasive Solidago canadensis L. in Slovakia

Olga Shelepova,Ján Brindza,Olena Vergun,Yulia Vinogradova,Olga Grygorieva

doi:10.5219/1378

Abstract

Solidago canadensis L. was introduced to Europe as an ornamental plant from North America in 1645 and began to spread during the XIX-XX centuries. Nowadays the species is considered the most aggressive invasive species. On the other hand, S. canadensis is considered to be a medicinal plant. The raw material known as Herba Solidaginis includes herbs of S. canadensis, S. gigantea, and S. virgaurea. These species are known for their diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antispasmodic properties. The purpose of our study was to analyze the chemical compounds and some biological properties of S. canadensis, growing in Slovakia, to evaluate its therapeutic potential. The total phenolic content (TPC) of the extracts from aerial parts of S. canadensis was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The evaluation of total flavonoid content (TFC) was performed by using a spectrophotometric method. The flavonoids content was expressed as rutin equivalents (mg REs) per g DW vegetal product. The phytochemical profile of S. canadensis extracts was assessed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The radical scavenging activity of samples was measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Reducing power of extracts was determined by the phosphomolybdenum method. Total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of the extracts varied from 204.19 to 293.43 mg GAE.g-1 DW, and 64.99 – 175.25 g QE.g-1 DW, respectively; the best results were obtained for ethanol extract. Some phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC with significant amounts of rutin (211.20 µg.mL-1), quercetin (122.08 µg.mL-1), quercitrin (102.50 µg.mL-1) and chlorogenic acid (147.00 µg.mL-1). The DPPH values in the inflorescences were higher than in the leaves: the antioxidant activity of leaf extracts was in the range from 5.34 to 17.16 mg TE.g-1, for inflorescences, this parameter ranged from 6.09 to 19.87 mg TE.g-1. The high total phenolic compounds and flavonoids can be used as a valuable source of phytochemicals in herbal remedies. Our study of S. canadensis, growing in Slovakia, shows the promising potential that can be evaluated as an effective antioxidant and antimicrobial agent in herbal medicines.

Highlights

Solidago canadensis L. was introduced to Europe as ornamentals from North America in 1645 and began to spread during the XIX-XX centuries (Lambdon et al, 2008; Vinogradova, Mayorov and Choroon, 2010)
Total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of the extracts varied from 204.19 to 293.43 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE).g-1 dry weight (DW), and 64.99 – 175.25 g QE.g-1 DW, respectively; the best results were obtained for ethanol extract
Since flavonoids and phenolic acids are among the most important phytochemical constituents of some Solidago species, we evaluated their content in S. canadensis extracts

Summary

Introduction

Solidago canadensis L. was introduced to Europe as ornamentals from North America in 1645 and began to spread during the XIX-XX centuries (Lambdon et al, 2008; Vinogradova, Mayorov and Choroon, 2010). Preparations from goldenrods have a well-defined diuretic, spasmolytic and hypotensive effect together with anti-inflammatory, bacteriostatic, and analgesic properties (Apáti et al, 2003; Pawlaczyk et al, 2009; Deng et al, 2015). In addition to the above indications, preliminary studies of Solidago species have demonstrated that these plants contain a highmolecular-weight polysaccharide-protein complex that has strong cytotoxic activity against prostate cancer cells and an antitussive effect (Ravichandiran and Deepa, 2012; Šutovská et al, 2013). The toxicity and contraindications for goldenrods preparations have not been reported, and the available information is based

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