Chemical composition, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and cytotoxic properties of the halophyte Frankenia laevis L

Abstract

Frankenia species are used in Asian traditional medicine, but just a few studies have reported the in vitro biological properties of Frankenia laevis L. [1], [2], [3]. Thus, this work explored this species as a potential source of bioactive compounds. Methanol and dichloromethane extracts were prepared from aerial organs (flowers, leaves and stems) and assessed for their chemical composition by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The extracts were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging, iron reducing power, copper and iron chelation), inhibitory effects on enzymes related with neurodegeneration (AChE and BuChE), Type-2 diabetes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase), hyperpigmentation/food oxidation (tyrosinase), and cytotoxicity towards human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells. Fifty-one molecules were identified in the extracts, including derivatives of phenolic acids, lignans and flavonoids, monoterpenes, and hydroxylated derivatives of linoleic acid. The methanol extract was effective in DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging (EC50 = 0.25 and 0.65 mg/mL, respectively), copper chelation (EC50 = 0.78 mg/mL), and iron reduction (EC50 = 0.51 mg/mL) activities, whereas the dichloromethane extract had high iron chelating ability (EC50 = 0.76 mg/mL). Both extracts inhibited α-glucosidase, especially the dichloromethane (EC50 = 0.52 mg/mL). This extract also exerted a significant selective cytotoxicity towards HepG2 cells (EC50 = 52.1 µg/mL, SI > 1.9). Generally, extracts from F. laevis aerial parts showed to be a promising source of natural compounds for pharmaceutical and/or food additives applications due to their high antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and cytotoxic properties.