New Insights on Phytochemical Features and Biological Properties of Alnus glutinosa Stem Bark

Abstract

Alnus glutinosa (namely black alder or European alder) is a tree of the Betulaceae family widely spread through Europe, Southeastern Asia, the Caucasus mountains, and Western Siberia. Its bark is traditionally used for medicinal purposes as an astringent, cathartic, febrifuge, emetic, hemostatic, and tonic, suggesting that it may contain bioactive compounds useful to counteract inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical profile of A. glutinosa stem bark extract (AGE) by LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analysis and to validate some biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties by in vitro and in vivo models (chick chorioallantoic membranes and zebrafish embryos), that can justify its use against inflammatory-based diseases. The AGE showed a high total phenols content expressed as gallic acid equivalents (0.71 g GAE/g of AGE). Diarylheptanoids have been identified as the predominant compounds (0.65 g/g of AGE) with oregonin, which alone constitutes 74.67% of the AGE. The AGE showed a strong and concentration-dependent antioxidant (IC50 0.15–12.21 µg/mL) and anti-inflammatory (IC50 5.47–12.97 µg/mL) activity. Furthermore, it showed promising anti-angiogenic activity, inhibiting both the vessel growth (IC50 23.39 µg/egg) and the release of an endogenous phosphatase alkaline enzyme (IC50 44.24 µg/embryo). In conclusion, AGE is a promising source of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and angio-modulator compounds.

Biological activities, identification, method development, and validation for analysis of polyphenolic compounds in Nymphaea rubra flowers and leaves by UHPLC‐Q‐cIM‐TOF‐MS and UHPLC‐TQ‐MS

“…Based on fragmentation behaviour reported in the literature, compounds 42 (monoisotopic mass [M − H] − at m/z 325.1434) and 55 (monoisotopic mass [M − H] − at m/z 507.1857) were identified as licarin A, a benzofuran compound, and hirasutanonol‐5‐ O ‐glucoside, a diarylheptanoid compound. These were also discovered for the first time in NRF and NRL 46,47 …”

A systematic review of studies on fine and coarse root traits measurement: towards the enhancement of urban forests monitoring and management

“…5.1 Fine and coarse roots are mainly studied in European natural contexts for a few plant species and functional traits Among the 136 target species, some of them, identified as "very frequent, " were well studied for their biological and economic relevance, such as Alnus glutinosa, Betula pendula, Fagus sylvatica, Olea europea, three Quercus genus, and Pinus pinaster (Majdi, 2001;Rastogi et al, 2015;Kostelenos and Kiritsakis, 2017;Mármol et al, 2019;Rey et al, 2019;Mader et al, 2020;Smeriglio et al, 2022), and/ or are model species in plant biology investigations, such as Picea abies, Populus alba, and Populus tremula (Brunner et al, 2001(Brunner et al, , 2004Vasiliauskas et al, 2007;Shorohova et al, 2011;Gauthier et al, 2015).…”

The Good, the Bad, and the Useable Microbes within the Common Alder (Alnus glutinosa) Microbiome—Potential Bio-Agents to Combat Alder Dieback

“…Furthermore, the use of PGPR/F can act as a biocontrol agent by enhancing the health of a tree species, thus, a stronger tree can fight/withstand pathogenic infections. Moreover, A. glutinosa has many antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumour, and inhibition properties due to the presence of anthraquinones, betulinic acid, diarylheptanoids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenes, tannins, steroids, and saponins; thus, these substances have the potential as BCAs within forestry [ 17 , 18 , 122 ]. Emerging diseases within forestry are a cause for concern, therefore, the advancement of BCAs within this sector is desirable.…”