Biological potential of hydroalcoholic extracts of Physalis pubescens L

Abstract

The antioxidant, antibacterial, and antitumor effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of the pulp and seeds of Physalis pubescens L. were explored. The components of the extracts were identified and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) analyses. The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus , Listeria monocytogenes , and Escherichia coli was evaluated by using a diffusion disc. Cytotoxicological assays that were performed using glioblastoma cell lines from C6 and GL26 mice and murine melanoma cell lines (B16F10), in addition to primary astrocyte culture. Fourteen phenolic compounds were identified, where epicatechin was the dominant. High antioxidant activity of both the pulp (2210.46 μM of Trolox/g) and seeds (2807.74 μM trolox/g) was observed by the DPPH method. The pulp and seed extracts showed moderately active inhibition halos in the presence of Gram-positive bacteria. Both extracts were able to reduce the percentage cell viability. • There is a predominance of epicatechin, ellagic acid and myricetin in the fruits of Physalis pubescens L. • The antioxidant activity was best represented by the DPPH method for the fruits of Physalis pubescens L. • The antibacterial activity of the hydroalcoholicextracts P and S were efficient against gram positive bacteria. • Cytotoxic activity was significant for extract seed (S).