Planta Medica International Open 2017; 4(S 01): S1-S202
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1608264
Poster Session
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Profiling, anti-radical activity and bioactivity of Thymus mastichina, Thymus x citriodorus and Thymus vulgaris aqueous extracts

M Taghouti
1   Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
3   Chemistry Center – Vila Real (CQ-VR), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
,
L Félix
1   Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
2   Laboratory Animal Science (LAS), Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
,
C Martins-Gomes
1   Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
3   Chemistry Center – Vila Real (CQ-VR), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
,
JA Santos
1   Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
,
FM Nunes
3   Chemistry Center – Vila Real (CQ-VR), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
,
AM Silva
1   Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
24 October 2017 (online)

 

Many plants belonging to the genus Thymus are endemic to the Mediterranean area. Cultivation of some Thymus species has increased in the past years due to their use in culinary and for essential oil extraction.

In this study, we aimed to characterize the chemical composition, the anti-radical activity and bioactivity against human cell lines of aqueous extracts (decoctions) of lyophilized aerial parts of Thymus mastichina (T.m.), T. x citriodorus (T.xc.) and T. vulgaris (T.v.). Extracts were analyzed by HPLC-DAD; three colorimetric methods were used to study extracts antiradical activity against ABTS·, OH· and NO· radicals; and cell viability was assessed in Caco-2 and HepG2 cell lines, using alamar blue assay (metabolic activity indicator).

Extraction yields ranged between 10% (T.m. and T.xc.) and 25% (T.v.). Extracts showed moderate hydroxyl radicals inhibition (OH·) ranging between 28.23% (T.m.) and 42.58% (T.v.). Extract of T.v. showed the highest activity against NO· radicals, with 74% inhibition, while T.m. had the highest ABTS·inhibition (0.09 mmol Trolox equivalent/g dry plant). Caffeic acid and some of its derivatives (e.g, rosmarinic and salvianolic acids), luteolin and apigenin, and some of their derivatives, are amongst the phenolic acids and flavonoids identified by HPLC-DAD. Eriodictyol derivatives were also identified in all extracts.

Concerning to the bioactivity of these extracts, we observed a time- and concentration-dependent reduction of cell viability, indicating anti-proliferative effect.

Our results provide an overview of the phenolic compounds present in aqueous extracts of studied plants, of their potential in scavenging different radicals and anti-proliferative activity, suggesting a rich source of bioactive compounds and potential to use as food condiments or nutraceuticals.

UTAD Botanical Garden, FCT (grant to M.T.(PD/BD/52563/2014), INTERACT-project-NORTE-01 – 0145-FEDER-000017, ISAC, co-financed by ERDF through NORTE2020, (BI/UTAD/INTERACT/ISAC/203/2016, to L.F.).