Abstract
Plants have been used for medical purposes since ancient times. However, a detailed analysis of their biological properties and their associated active compounds is needed to justify their therapeutic use in modern medicine. The aim of the study was to identify and quantify the phenolics present in hydromethanolic extracts of the roots and shoots of the Chinese Salvia species, Salvia bulleyana. The qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry detection (UHPLC-PDA-ESI-MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) detection. The extracts of S. bulleyana were also screened for their antioxidant activity using ferric ion (Fe3+) reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), diammonium 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) cation (ABTS), superoxide radical anion (O2•–), and inhibition of lipid peroxidation assays. The S. bulleyana extracts were found to contain 38 substances, of which 36 were phenols, with a total level of 14.4 mg/g DW (dry weight) in shoots, and 23.1 mg/g DW in roots. Twenty-eight phenols were polyphenolic acids or their derivatives, the most abundant in shoots being rosmarinic acid, and in roots, salvianolic acid K followed by rosmarinic acid. The other major phenolic acids were caffeic acid, caffeoyl-threonic acids, isomers of lithospermic acid, salvianolic acid F, salvianolic acid B, and yunnaneic acid E. In addition to polyphenolic acids, nine flavonoids were detected in the shoot extract. While both extracts showed significant antioxidant activity, the shoot extract, containing both polyphenolic acids and flavonoids, demonstrated a slightly greater antioxidant potential in some of the anti-radical tests than the roots. However, the root extract proved to be slightly more effective in the lipid peroxidation inhibition test. Thus, S. bulleyana was demonstrated as a promising source of antioxidants, and worthy of further more detailed studies.
Highlights
The prevalence of civilization diseases, such as cancer, circulatory disorders, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases, is steadily growing worldwide
The results indicated that the aerial parts and roots of S. bulleyana demonstrated a similar antioxidant potential (Figure 3B), which is most likely correlated with the total phenolic content (TPC)
Identification of phenolic compounds in the hydromethanolic extracts of aerial parts and underground parts of S. bulleyana was carried out. This is the first detailed phytochemical analysis of raw materials derived from this species
Summary
The prevalence of civilization diseases, such as cancer, circulatory disorders, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases, is steadily growing worldwide. Polyphenol-rich species such as sage (Salvia) offer considerable promise [1]. Salvia is one of the largest genera in the Lamiaceae family, comprising around 1000 species worldwide. Over 40 species of Salvia have been used in Chinese traditional medicine; twenty of these have been described as Danshen [2]. The Chinese pharmacopeia refers to the root of S. miltiorrhiza Bunge, a species endemic to eastern Asia, as Danshen [3]. It has been used in the treatment of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary artery spasm, and for promoting blood circulation [4]. Other morphologically similar species have been used as folk substitutes for the original Danshen in different regions of China: S. bowleyana Dunn, S. bulleyana Diels, S. campanulata Wall., S. castanea Diels, S. dabieshanensis J.Q.He, S. deserta Schang, S. digitaloides Diels, S. evansiana Hand.-Mazz., S. flava Forrest ex Diels, S. honania L.H.Bailey, S. meiliensis
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