Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Zinnia elegans Jacq. Fractions

Abstract

Zinnia elegans (syn. Zinnia violacea) is a common ornamental plant of the Asteraceae family, widely cultivated for the impressive range of flower colors and persistent bloom. Given its uncomplicated cultivation and high adaptability to harsh landscape conditions, we investigated the potential use of Z. elegans as a source of valuable secondary metabolites. Preliminary classification of compounds found in a methanolic extract obtained from inflorescences of Z. elegans cv. Caroussel was accomplished using HR LC-MS techniques. The extract was then subjected to solid-phase extraction and separation using Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, which resulted in several fractions further investigated for their antioxidant properties through lipoxygenase inhibition and metal chelating activity assays. Moreover, following additional purification procedures, structures of some active ingredients were established by NMR spectroscopy. The investigated fractions contained polyphenolic compounds such as chlorogenic acids and apigenin, kaempferol, and quercetin glycosides. Antioxidant assays showed that certain fractions exhibit moderate 15-LOX inhibition (Fr 2, IC50 = 18.98 μg/mL) and metal chelation (e.g., Fr 1-2, EC50 = 0.714–1.037 mg/mL) activities as compared to positive controls (20.25 μg/mL for kaempferol and 0.068 mg/mL for EDTA, respectively). For Fr 2, the 15-LOX inhibition activity seems to be related to the abundance of kaempferol glycosides. The NMR analyses revealed the presence of a kaempferol 3-O-glycoside, and a guanidine alkaloid previously not described in this species.

Flavonoids: Antiplatelet Effect as Inhibitors of COX-1

“…The heteroside rutin and its aglycone quercetin are widely distributed in nature, in particular in the leaves of bearberry ( Arctostaphilos uva-ursi , family Ericaceae ), in the bulb of squill ( Urginea maritima , family Liliaceae ) in various species of the genus Eucalyptus and Sophora , as well as in buckwheat and elderberry, having been found to have a beneficial effect for lowering blood pressure and inflammation with 500 mg of the aglycone form [ 17 ]. Its antioxidant properties have also been described through lipoxygenase inhibition and metal chelating activity assays [ 18 ] and antiaggregant effects in vitro [ 19 ]. It has also been shown to modulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [ 20 ] and to produce anti-cancer effects, including its ability to promote the loss of cell viability, apoptosis, and autophagy through the modulation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/serine/threonine kinase/mammalian Target of Rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR), Wnt/-catenin, and mitogen-activated protein kinases/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (MAPK/ERK1/2) pathways [ 21 ].…”

Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant Activity, and Cytotoxicity Assessment of Tagetes erecta L. Flowers

“…The phytochemical analysis of the total methanolic extract was performed using high-resolution LC-MS analyses, with a Thermo Scientific Ultimate 3000RS chromatographic system [ 48 ]. The process was carried out on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (150 × 2.1 mm i.d.…”

Yuccalechins A–C from the Yucca schidigera Roezl ex Ortgies Bark: Elucidation of the Relative and Absolute Configurations of Three New Spirobiflavonoids and Their Cholinesterase Inhibitory Activities

“…; 1.7 µm, Milford, USA). The effluent was analyzed using a photodiode array detector (200–600 nm, 10 Hz acquisition frequency), Q-TOF MS (Bruker Impact II HD, Bruker, Billerica, MA, USA), and a charged aerosol detector (CAD, Thermo Corona Veo RS) as described in detail in our previous publication [87].…”