Abstract
In this paper, the first phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract of Daphne sericea Vahl flowering aerial parts collected in Italy and its biological activities were reported. Eleven compounds were identified i.e., α-linolenic acid (1), tri-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol (2), pheophorbide a ethyl ester (3), pilloin (4), sinensetin (5), yuanhuanin (6), rutamontine (7), syringin (8), p-coumaric acid (9), p-anisic acid (10) and caffeic acid (11). To the best of our knowledge, compounds (1-4, 7-8 and 10) were isolated from D. sericea for the first time during this work, whereas sinensetin (5) represents a newly identified component of the entire Thymelaeaceae family. The extract was found to possess radical scavenging against both DPPH• and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-thylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS•+) radicals, with at least a 40-fold higher potency against the latter. Moreover, chelating abilities against both ferrous and ferric ions have been highlighted, thus suggesting a possible indirect antioxidant power of the extract. Although the precise bioactive compounds remain to be discovered, the polyphenolic constituents, including phenolic acids, tannins and flavonoids, seem to contribute to the antioxidant power of the phytocomplex. In addition, the extract produced cytotoxic effects in MDA-MB-231 and U87-MG cancer cell lines, especially at the concentration of 625 μg/mL and after 48–72 h. Further studies are required to clarify the contribution of the identified compounds in the bioactivities of the extract and to support possible future applications.
Highlights
Daphne sericea Vahl is an evergreen shrub belonging to the Thymelaeaceae family
Its name derives from the union of two terms: the Greek noun “∆άφνη” (Dáphne), a mythological nymph who turned into a laurel plant, related to the similarity of its leaves to those of laurel, and the Latin adjective “sericeus, a, um” meaning silky because of those silky hairs that cover the buds and the corolla tube [1]
Led to the identification of eleven compounds: α-linolenic acid (1), tri-linoleoyl-snglycerol (2), pheophorbide a ethyl ester (3), pilloin (4), sinensetin (5), yuanhuanin (6), Biomolecules 2021, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW
Summary
Its name derives from the union of two terms: the Greek noun “∆άφνη” (Dáphne), a mythological nymph who turned into a laurel plant, related to the similarity of its leaves to those of laurel, and the Latin adjective “sericeus, a, um” meaning silky because of those silky hairs that cover the buds and the corolla tube [1]. Thisthis species is characterized by erect or decumFromthe themorphological morphologicalpoint point view, species is characterized by erect or debent branches and coriaceous leaves, oblong–obovate, almost glabrous in thein superior face cumbent branches and coriaceous leaves, oblong–obovate, almost glabrous the superior and hairs hairs beneath. The flowers are very pink, mostly collected facewith and appressed with appressed beneath Its name derives from the union of two terms: the Greek noun “Δάφνη” (Dáphne), a mythological nymph who turned into a laurel plant, related to the similarity 2of its of 17 leaves to those of laurel, and the Latin adjective “sericeus, a, um” meaning silky because of those silky hairs that cover the buds and the corolla tube [1].
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