Abstract
The phytochemical analysis of Vinca minor, V. herbacea, V. major, and V. major var. variegata leaf extracts showed species-dependent antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic effects correlated with the identified phytoconstituents. Vincamine was present in V. minor, V. major, and V. major var. variegata, while V. minor had the richest alkaloid content, followed by V. herbacea. V. major var. variegata was richest in flavonoids and the highest total phenolic content was found in V. herbacea which also had elevated levels of rutin. Consequently, V. herbacea had the highest antioxidant activity followed by V. major var. variegata. Whereas, the lowest one was of V. major. The V. minor extract showed the most efficient inhibitory effect against both Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. On the other hand, V. herbacea had a good anti-bacterial potential only against S. aureus, which was most affected at morphological levels, as indicated by scanning electron microscopy. The Vinca extracts acted in a dose-depended manner against HaCaT keratinocytes and A375 melanoma cells and moreover, with effects on the ultrastructure, nitric oxide concentration, and lactate dehydrogenase release. Therefore, the Vinca species could be exploited further for the development of alternative treatments in bacterial infections or as anticancer adjuvants.
Highlights
The progress of modern medicine in the last century is the result of multiple, relentless battles fought against environmental and inborn threats against humans
Hydroalcoholic extracts were obtained from the leaves of Vinca species, which are known as medicinal plants and having a high content of alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, and well-documented antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic effects [46,47,48]
V. herbacea is correlated with the observed pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic potentials, which brings novelty to the field
Summary
The progress of modern medicine in the last century is the result of multiple, relentless battles fought against environmental and inborn threats against humans. The diseases associated with these harmful factors had driven the efforts of researchers and physicians toward the modern medicine practices, that are frequently updated. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and invasive malignant tumors are two of the most challenging, contemporary problems that scientists are constantly attempting to overcome [1,2]. Since the gene for antibiotic resistance in bacteria was identified to be present in an ancient strain [3], far before antibiotics were even discovered, resources were increasingly directed towards alternative means of treatment [4,5]. Given the above-mentioned difficulties that are encountered along with the evolution of therapeutics, scientists concentrated their attention on phytotherapy [7]
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