Abstract
The antimicrobial properties of herbs from Papaveraceae have been used in medicine for centuries. Nevertheless, mutual relationships between the individual bioactive substances contained in these plants remain poorly elucidated. In this work, phytochemical composition of extracts from the aerial and underground parts of five Papaveraceae species (Chelidonium majus L., Corydalis cava (L.) Schweigg. and Körte, C. cheilanthifolia Hemsl., C. pumila (Host) Rchb., and Fumaria vaillantii Loisel.) were examined using LC-ESI-MS/MS with a triple quadrupole analyzer. Large differences in the quality and quantity of all analyzed compounds were observed between species of different genera and also within one genus. Two groups of metabolites predominated in the phytochemical profiles. These were isoquinoline alkaloids and, in smaller amounts, non-phenolic carboxylic acids and phenolic compounds. In aerial and underground parts, 22 and 20 compounds were detected, respectively. These included: seven isoquinoline alkaloids: protopine, allocryptopine, coptisine, berberine, chelidonine, sanguinarine, and chelerythrine; five of their derivatives as well as non-alkaloids: malic acid, trans-aconitic acid, quinic acid, salicylic acid, trans-caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol; and vanillin. The aerial parts were much richer in phenolic compounds regardless of the plant species. Characterized extracts were studied for their antimicrobial potential against planktonic and biofilm-producing cells of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans. The impact of the extracts on cellular metabolic activity and biofilm biomass production was evaluated. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of the extracts introduced to the polymeric carrier made of bacterial cellulose was assessed. Extracts of C. cheilanthifolia were found to be the most effective against all tested human pathogens. Multiple regression tests indicated a high antimicrobial impact of quercetin in extracts of aerial parts against planktonic cells of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans, and no direct correlation between the composition of other bioactive substances and the results of antimicrobial activity were found. Conclusively, further investigations are required to identify the relations between recognized and unrecognized compounds within extracts and their biological properties.
Highlights
The antimicrobial activity of Papaveraceae plants has been linked to the presence of several classes of alkaloids such as phthalideisoquinolines or tetrahydroprotoberberines and various polyphenolic compounds [1,2]
The results of our analysis indicated the presence of phenanthridine derivatives such as sanguinarine and chelerythrine, as well as quercetin, chlorogenic acid, and vanillin in the roots (Tables 1 and 2)
Locations are as follow: Corydalis cava-soil with a thick layer of humus, well-drained, not moist, not sandy, with a small amount of debris; Corydalis pumila-soil with a thick layer of humus, well-drained, not moist, not very sandy; Corydalis cheilanthifolia-sandy soil, welldrained, with very low humus content; Fumaria vaillantii-anthropogenic soil with debris, with a thin humus layer on the surface, permeable; and Chelidonium majus-soil, very sandy, well-drained, slightly moist with a thin humus layer
Summary
The antimicrobial activity of Papaveraceae (poppy family) plants has been linked to the presence of several classes of alkaloids such as phthalideisoquinolines or tetrahydroprotoberberines and various polyphenolic compounds [1,2]. Most of the biological activities of these plants referred to the type of natural compounds or their concentrations [1,3]. Not much is known on the quiddity of individual compounds’ contribution in plant extracts that result in its biological potential. Can we discuss the strength of the biological activity in relation to the proportion between different bioactive metabolites or their classes? The family of Papaveraceae encompasses 44 genera and about 825 species of herbaceous plants distributed in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere, in southern Africa, and in the western part of South America [4].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
