Abstract
The halophyte species Plantago coronopus has several described ethnomedicinal uses, but few reported biological activities. This work carried out for the first time a comparative analysis of P. coronopus organs in terms of phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of organic and water extracts from roots, leaves and flowers. The leaves contents in selected nutrients, namely amino acids and minerals, are also described. Roots (ethyl acetate and methanol extracts) had the highest radical scavenging activity (RSA) towards 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, while leaves (hexane extract) had higher RSA on nitric oxide radical and iron chelating ability. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified eighteen phenolics from which salicylic acid and epicatechin are here firstly described in Plantago species. Leaves had mineral levels similar to those of most vegetables, proving to be a good source for elements like calcium, sodium, iron and magnesium, and also for several of the essential amino acids justifying it use as food. Our results, especially those regarding the phenolics composition, can explain the main traditional uses given to this plantain and, altogether, emphasize the potential of P. coronopus as a source of bioactive molecules particularly useful for the prevention of oxidative stress-related diseases.
Highlights
Plantago coronopus, commonly known as buckshorn plantain (“diabelha” in Portugal), is a medicinal halophyte belonging to the genus Plantago L., the largest of the Plantaginaceae family (Castroviejo et al, 2009; Ksouri et al, 2012)
It is known that other Plantago species, namely P. major, P. lanceolata and P. media are valuable sources of amino acids and minerals, which may contribute for their use as an ingredient in human nutrition (Guil‐Guerrero, 2001; Amaglo et al, 2010)
Phenolic compounds are ubiquitous in plants but as each plant contains different polyphenolic mixtures, characterization of phenolic groups is often difficult
Summary
Commonly known as buckshorn plantain (“diabelha” in Portugal), is a medicinal halophyte belonging to the genus Plantago L., the largest of the Plantaginaceae family (Castroviejo et al, 2009; Ksouri et al, 2012). This salt-tolerant worldwide-distributed herbaceous plant, usually annual or biennial, grows on saline or disturbed areas, mainly in coastal habitats where it is exposed to fluctuating environmental conditions (Castroviejo et al, 2009). It is known that other Plantago species, namely P. major, P. lanceolata and P. media are valuable sources of amino acids and minerals, which may contribute for their use as an ingredient in human nutrition (Guil‐Guerrero, 2001; Amaglo et al, 2010)
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