Phenolic Compounds and Bioactive Properties of Ruscus aculeatus L. (Asparagaceae): The Pharmacological Potential of an Underexploited Subshrub

Abstract

Ruscus aculeatus L. is a subshrub used in traditional medicine in different parts of the world, namely in Europe and the Iberian Peninsula. According to reported folk knowledge, the aerial parts are mainly used as diuretics and the underground organs are used for the treatment of disorders of the urinary system and as a laxative. In this work, the aerial part and the roots and rhizomes of R. aculeatus were chemically characterized with regard to the content of phenolic compounds and bioactive properties. Aqueous (infusions and decoctions) preparations and hydroethanolic extracts from the two mentioned parts of the plant were prepared. Nine phenolic compounds were detected in all the extracts. Apigenin-C-hexoside-C-pentoside isomer II was the major compound in aqueous extracts and, in the hydroethanolic extract was quercetin-O-deoxyhexoside-hexoside followed by apigenin-C-hexoside-C-pentoside isomer II. All extracts revealed antioxidant activity and potential to inhibit some of the assayed bacteria; aqueous extracts of the aerial part and infusions of roots and rhizomes did not show cytotoxic effects on a non-tumor primary cell culture. This preliminary study provides suggestions of the biological potential associated with the empirical uses and knowledge of this species, in particular its bioactivities.

The Content of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of the Butcher’s Broom Plant (Ruscus Aculeatus L)

“…Studies have established a correlation between the content of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of plant extracts [9,15,16].…”

Extraction and analysis of ruscogenins from butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus L.) rhizomes using HPLC

“…Hortorum Cultus,21(6), 143-154. https://doi.org/10.24326/ asphc.2022.6.12 al. 2021, Rodrigues et al 2021]. The aerial parts of this plant are traditionally used as diuretics, mainly in the Mediterranean countries and the Middle East [Hadžifejzović et al 2013, Rodrigues et al 2021].…”

“…2021, Rodrigues et al 2021]. The aerial parts of this plant are traditionally used as diuretics, mainly in the Mediterranean countries and the Middle East [Hadžifejzović et al 2013, Rodrigues et al 2021]. In the 1950s, scientific research proved the presence of valuable saponin compounds in the butcher's broom, which are responsible for the healing properties of the raw material.…”

“…It is currently known that these are primarily steroidal saponins. Apart from saponins, butcher's broom extract contains flavonoids, sterols (sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol), tyramine, coumarin, triterpenes, lignoceric acid, glycolic acid and benzofurans [Urbanek 2017, Rodrigues et al 2021.…”

“…Pol. Hortorum Cultus, 21(6), 143-154. https://doi.org/10.24326/ asphc.2022.6.12 that chloroform and ethanol extracts from the rhizome of butcher's broom show beneficial pharmacological effects and can be used in the pharmaceutical industry [Taşkın et al 2020, Rodrigues et al 2021. The use of an appropriate solvent is a key element from the point of view of the dietary supplement industry, which is regulated, among others, by control of residual solvents.…”