Abstract
This study aimed at investigating the Lycium chinense Miller leaf extract mineral and phenolic compound profiles as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. We determined the leaf extract mineral composition, identified its major mineral components, and quantified secondary metabolites. We also measured the leaf extract antioxidant potential and found that it varies in a concentration-dependent manner. We observed a significant and higher positive correlation between DPPH and ABTS assays compared with the total phenolic and flavonoid content. Furthermore, our assay results positively correlated with several observed acids, indicating their strong association with the L. chinense antioxidant potential. Our cytotoxic assay revealed weak toxicity at higher tested concentrations. Our MIC assay showed that the 80% methanol extract effectively inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC35150). The 625-ppm leaf extract completely suppressed the growth of Staphylococcus aureus Rosenbach (ATCC13150), Bacillus cereus (ATCC 14579), and Helicobacter pylori (ATCC43504). These results allow us to understand the indigenous medicinal value of L. chinense. Our study suggests that the L. chinense leaf extract phenolic compounds possess a good antioxidant activity against free radicals and are effective antimicrobial agents. Finally, the presence and high level of diverse minerals suggest the potential of L. chinense for nutraceutical and functional food applications.
Highlights
Several studies focused on plant phenolic compounds owing to their significant potential for promoting human health and lowering the hazards of various diseases [1,2,3]
We hypothesized that the phenolic compounds present in the leaf extracts of L. chinense contribute to its antioxidant activity and the inhibition of microbial growth
Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Se positively correlated with the total flavonoid content (TFC), indicating that these minerals might be a part of the phenolic compounds and play vital roles in the antioxidant (AO) properties of the leaf extracts
Summary
Several studies focused on plant phenolic compounds owing to their significant potential for promoting human health and lowering the hazards of various diseases [1,2,3]. Mineral elements and phenolic compounds are considered to play important roles in the antioxidant properties of plants [4,5]. Current research interests are focused on plant-based solutions to develop remedies for such infectious diseases and overcome the aforementioned drawbacks Secondary metabolites, such as phenolic compounds, present in medicinal plants have been proven effective against a wide range of pathogenic microbes, making them potential alternative antimicrobial agents [1,2]. Lycium chinense Miller, commonly known as boxthorn, belongs to the family Solanaceae and is a perennial plant; it is widely distributed in Korea, China, Japan, and several European countries [21] In traditional medicine, this plant is widely used as a health food supplement [22], improving vision and wellness [23]. We hypothesized that the phenolic compounds present in the leaf extracts of L. chinense contribute to its antioxidant activity and the inhibition of microbial growth
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