The potential use of Mentha x piperita L., Peumus boldus Mol. and Baccharis trimera Iless. extracts as functional food ingredients

Abstract

We studied the comparative antioxidant and anti-glycation activities of Mentha x piperita L., Baccharis trimera Iless. and Peumus boldus Mol, in order to evaluate their potential interest as ingredients in functional foods. The total content of polyphenol compounds was determined by Folin-Ciocalteau assay as their antioxidant and anti-glycation capacities, using ABTS and ORAC for the first one and a model with methylglyoxal and bovine serum albumin for the latter. Then, paraoxonase 1 (PON 1) arylesterase activity was measured as well as apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA-1) structure by SDS-PAGE, in the presence of an oxidative agent and the herbal extracts. Finally, the same procedure was applied to high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles using a Lipoprint kit. Results show that herbal extracts have a considerable amount of total polyphenols, thus a high antioxidant activity and a considerable anti-glycation activity. Furthermore, these extracts restore PON 1 activity as well as the original configuration of apoA-1 and the distribution of HDL subclasses, favouring anti-atherogenic particles. These herbal extracts are interesting targets to use as ingredients in functional foods.