Abstract
Cherry stems (CS) represent a by-product intensively used in Eastern European countries as a traditional remedy for urinary tract disorders. Ethnopharmacological evidences sustain the use of CS as aqueous preparations (infusion and decoction), but few data were previously reported about phytochemical profile and pharmacological potential of CS hydroalcoholic extracts. In this regard, we aimed to evaluate the phenolic profile, in vitro antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory potential, and in vivo diuretic activity of 70% hydroethanolic cherry stems extract and cherry stems decoction (CSD). LC-DAD-ESI/MSn analysis revealed the presence of flavonoid-type compounds as main constituents for both preparations, especially flavanones (naringenin glycosides). Antioxidant activity evaluated through DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods was superior for cherry stems extract, probably due to the presence of phenolic-derived compounds in higher amounts than CSD. On the other hand, tyrosinase inhibitory potential and diuretic effect exerted by CSD were stronger, highlighting that other types of hydrophilic secondary metabolites are responsible for this bioactivity. Overall, our findings indicate that CS preparations could be used as promising mild diuretic agents and encourage further investigations regarding the correlation between their chemical composition and bioactive potential.
Highlights
In last decades, the importance of plant-derived bioactive compounds was intensively studied, highlighting their impact on human health as modulators of metabolic pathways and processes involved in the development of different pathological conditions
Recent studies have proven that high amounts of secondary metabolites can be concentrated in plant by-products; for example, it was shown that an important fraction from total polyphenolic content of several by-products from food industry can be found as bound form, namely non-extractable polyphenols (NEP), which exerts significant antitumor, antioxidant, and hypocholesterolemiant properties (Dzah et al, 2020)
The presence of phenolic secondary metabolites was confirmed in both extracts, the highest concentrations being found in hydroalcoholic extract
Summary
The importance of plant-derived bioactive compounds was intensively studied, highlighting their impact on human health as modulators of metabolic pathways and processes involved in the development of different pathological conditions. Even though dietary intake can provide high amounts of plant-derived secondary metabolites, food habits and nutritional quality of our meals upset the balance between the real need and consumption of these compounds. By-products resulted from the processing of different herbal resources are intensively promoted as promising sources of bioactive compounds, being recognized as cheap, eco-friendly, and sustainable alternatives for standard raw materials (Fierascu et al, 2020). Recent studies have proven that high amounts of secondary metabolites can be concentrated in plant by-products; for example, it was shown that an important fraction from total polyphenolic content of several by-products from food industry can be found as bound form, namely non-extractable polyphenols (NEP), which exerts significant antitumor, antioxidant, and hypocholesterolemiant properties (Dzah et al, 2020). It can be assumed that one of the big goals for the future is the valorification of more and more by-products as main sources of phytochemicals with health-related properties
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