Argentinean Puna Plants with In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti‐Inflammatory Activities as a Potential Nutraceutical

Abstract

Parastrephia lucida (Compositae), Tessaria absinthioides (Compositae), and Ephedra multiflora (Ephedraceae), three plant species from the Argentinean Puna (3600 m.a.s.l.) were selected for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to prepare mixtures to evaluate their use as nutraceuticals. Seven binary and ternary herbal mixtures made of ethanol 20% extracts of the selected plant species were prepared (Mixtures A to G), and they were analyzed for their effect on proinflammatory enzymes and their antioxidant activity in two cellular systems and in cell free systems. Toxicity tests were also carried out, and they were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) to quantify chemical markers. Mix A (equal parts of the three selected plant species) showed an important inhibitory capacity of different proinflammatory enzymes. Its potency on COX-2 was also higher than that of ibuprofen. Mix A and Mix G (P. lucida and T. absinthioides 1:1) showed a high antioxidant capacity in cellular and in cell-free systems. Toxicity assays further demonstrated their safety. This work shows the potential use of herbal mixtures made of medicinal plant species from the Argentinean Puna as nutraceutical or dietary supplements with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Exploring the Phytochemical Composition and the Bioactive Properties of Malbec and Torrontés Wine Pomace from the Calchaquíes Valleys (Argentina) for their Sustainable Exploitation

“…For this assay, stock solutions of 2.5 mg/mL of each extract were used. Total extractable phenols and nonflavonoid compounds were determined colorimetrically using Folin Ciocalteu's reagent at 765 nm [17]. A standard curve was performed with gallic acid (2-20 µg/mL) as standard, and the results were expressed in mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per g of dry pomace extract (DPE) (mg GAE/g DPE) and g of dry pomace (mg GAE/g DP) (R2 = 0.9965, p≤0.05).…”

“…The flavone and flavonol content was evaluated spectrophotometrically at 425 nm with aluminum chloride (5%) [17,20]. This technique is based on the formation of a complex between the aluminum ion, Al (III), and the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups of the flavonoid.…”

“…Flavanone and dihydroflavonol content was measured at 495 nm [17,20]. This technique is based on the reaction of these compounds with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNP) in an acidic medium to form colored phenylhydrazones.…”

“…Metal chelating capacity is based on the formation of colored Fe+2 complexes whose concentration can be determined spectrophotometrically. Molecules present in a sample that can chelate iron will compete with ferrozine, decreasing the reaction's coloration (absorbance) [17]. The absorbance was measured at 562 nm.…”

Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Different Species of Fabiana sp. Extract Obtained via Maceration and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction against Staphylococcus epidermidis

“…A gradient system was used as mobile phase: 0.1% acetic acid in water (A) and 0.1% acetic acid in methanol (B). The gradient system was performed with a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min as follows: A 90% + B 10% from 0 to 35 min, A 43% + B 57% from 35 to 45 min, and B 100% from 45 to 65 min [65]. The fingerprints obtained at 254 nm of extracts of each plant species were compared.…”