Abstract
Hypericum androsaemum, also known as Tutsan, is a small evergreen shrub common in the Mediterranean basin where it is traditionally used as diuretic and hepatoprotective herbal drug. This plant possesses the peculiarity to produce fleshy and berry-like fruits that ripen from red to shiny black. In the present work, the chemical constituents of methanolic extracts and infusions of red and black fruits were analyzed by HPLC, and correlated with their antioxidant properties which were evaluated by the DPPH, β-Carotene/linoleic acid, and hypochlorous acid tests. In addition, the red pigment of the fruit was isolated by column chromatography and structurally elucidated by NMR. Results showed that H. androsaemum fruits contain high amounts of shikimic and chlorogenic acids, while their color was given by a tetraoxygenated-type xanthone, reported for the first time in Hypericum species. The red berries infusion gave the highest content of total phenolic compounds, DPPH, and hypochlorous acid scavenging activity, and β-carotene bleaching. Cytotoxicity of the berries extracts on three human tumor cell lines (malignant melanoma, breast adenocarcinoma, and colon carcinoma) was evaluated by MTT assay, and relevant inhibition on colon carcinoma cells (IC50 value of 8.4 μg/mL) was found. Finally, the effects of red berries extract on the immune system were evaluated by peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation assay that revealed a strong stimulation on lymphocytes at low doses (0.4–6 μg/mL).
Highlights
Much of the phytochemical and pharmacological studies focused on leaves, revealing the presence of several flavonoids and phenolic acids, mainly chlorogenic acids, and quercetin derivatives which are responsible for the plant hepatoprotective properties (Valentão et al, 2002, 2004)
Searching for new fruits with healthy properties, in the present work we reported a comprehensive analysis on the polar constituents and biological activities, namely the antioxidant power, cytotoxicity on tumor cells, and immunomodulatory capacities of H. androsaemum berries collected from spontaneous and cultivated plants in central Italy
1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman2-carboxylic acid (Trolox), Tween 20, β-carotene, linoleic acid, sodium hypochlorite, taurine, phosphate buffer saline (PBS), and potassium iodide were purchased from Sigma-AldrichFluka (Milan, Italy)
Summary
Androsaemum (Duhamel) Godr.], well known as “tutsan,” is a small evergreen shrub fairly common in damp woods and hedgerows (100–1400 m of altitude) within the Mediterranean Basin, mainly in Western and Southern Europe, South-Western Asia, North Africa, while it has been introduced elsewhere (Allen and Hatfield, 2004). Much of the phytochemical and pharmacological studies focused on leaves, revealing the presence of several flavonoids and phenolic acids, mainly chlorogenic acids, and quercetin derivatives which are responsible for the plant hepatoprotective properties (Valentão et al, 2002, 2004). Searching for new fruits with healthy properties, in the present work we reported a comprehensive analysis on the polar constituents and biological activities, namely the antioxidant power, cytotoxicity on tumor cells, and immunomodulatory capacities of H. androsaemum berries collected from spontaneous and cultivated plants in central Italy. We identified the balsamic period during which the berries are richer in active constituents
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