Abstract
Leonurus cardiaca L. (Lamiaceae) is a perennial herb distributed in Asia and Southeastern Europe and has been used in traditional medicine since antiquity for its role against cardiac and gynecological disorders. The polar extracts obtained from L. cardiaca aerial parts contain several compounds among which alkaloids, iridoids, labdane diterpenes, and phenylethanoid glycosides play a major role in conferring protection against the aforementioned diseases. On the other hand, the antioxidant activities and the enzyme inhibitory properties of these extracts have not yet been deeply studied. On the above, in the present study, crude and purified extracts were prepared from the aerial parts of L. cardiaca and have been chemically characterized by spectrophotometric assays and HPLC-DAD-MS analyses. Notably, the content of twelve secondary metabolites, namely phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic, caffeoylmalic and trans-ferulic acids), flavonoids (rutin and quercetin), phenylethanoid glycosides (verbascoside and lavandulifolioside), guanidine pseudoalkaloids (leonurine), iridoids (harpagide), diterpenes (forskolin), and triterpenes (ursolic acid), has been determined. Furthermore, the extracts were tested for their antioxidant capabilities (phosphomolybdenum, DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, and ferrous chelating assays) and enzyme inhibitory properties against cholinesterase, tyrosinase, amylase, and glucosidase. The purified extracts contained higher phytochemical content than the crude ones, with caffeoylmalic acid and verbascoside as the most abundant compounds. A linear correlation between total phenolics, radical scavenging activity, and reducing power of extracts has been found. Notably, quercetin, caffeic acid, lavandulifolioside, verbascoside, chlorogenic acid, rutin, and ursolic acid influenced the main variations in the bioactivities found in L. cardiaca extracts. Our findings provide further insights into the chemico-biological traits of L. cardiaca and a scientific basis for the development of nutraceuticals and food supplements.
Highlights
Leonurus cardiaca L., known as motherworth, Echte Herzgespann, and agripaume, is a perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family and native to Asia and Southeastern Europe
The 775 m/z ion was chosen for the quantitative determination, whereas the calibration curve of verbascoside was used for lavandulifolioside quantitation as well
The present research reported an extensive characterization of L. cardiaca extracts and the investigation of their antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties
Summary
Leonurus cardiaca L., known as motherworth, Echte Herzgespann, and agripaume, is a perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family and native to Asia and Southeastern Europe. This plant can reach a height of 1 m and its leaves are palmately lobed and covered by stiff hairs. Other known therapeutic applications include the treatment of neurological, cardiac and gynecological disorders, and thyroid dysfunctions [4,5]. Scientific evidence supports its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its beneficial effects against digestive disorders and bronchial asthma [6]
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