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  • Phytochemical analysis and in vitro biological activity of three Hypericum species from the Canary Islands (Hypericum reflexum, Hypericum canariense and Hypericum grandifolium).

Phytochemical analysis and in vitro biological activity of three Hypericum species from the Canary Islands (Hypericum reflexum, Hypericum canariense and Hypericum grandifolium).

Fitoterapia (2014-12-03)
Christian Zorzetto, Candelaria C Sánchez-Mateo, Rosa M Rabanal, Giulio Lupidi, Dezemona Petrelli, Luca A Vitali, Massimo Bramucci, Luana Quassinti, Giovanni Caprioli, Fabrizio Papa, Massimo Ricciutelli, Gianni Sagratini, Sauro Vittori, Filippo Maggi
ABSTRACT

In the present work we carried out a phytochemical and biological investigation on three Hypericum species, i.e. Hypericum reflexum, Hypericum canariense and Hypericum grandifolium, from the Canary Islands where they are traditionally used as diuretic, wound healing, vermifuge, sedative and antidepressive agents. The polar extracts of the top flowering aerial parts, prepared by Soxhlet apparatus using a methanol-acetone (1:1) extracting mixture, were analyzed by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS for the content of eight biomarkers such as hypericin, hyperforin, chlorogenic acid, rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, quercitrin and quercetin, whereas the hydrodistilled essential oils were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The three Hypericum species had different results in both polar and volatile constituents, H. reflexum being the only one endowed with a small amount of naphtodianthrones (hypericin and pseudohypericin), and containing high levels of chlorogenic acid, rutin and volatile mono- and sesquiterpenes. After chemical characterization, all products were in vitro biologically assayed for antiproliferative activity on human tumor cell lines by MTT assay, for antioxidant potential by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays, and for antimicrobial activity by the agar disc diffusion and microdilution methods. Results revealed interesting bioactivities and differences between polar extracts and essential oils, with the former being endowed with significant antioxidant activity and the latter with comparable inhibition effects on the tumor cells (A375, MDA-MB 231 and HCT 116) to that of cisplatin.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Acetonitrile solution, contains 10.0% acetone, 0.05% formic acid, 40.0% 2-propanol
Hyperoside, primary reference standard
Chlorogenic acid, primary reference standard
USP
Palmitic acid, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard
Sigma-Aldrich
Eucalyptol, tested according to Ph. Eur.
Sigma-Aldrich
Methanol, HPLC Plus, ≥99.9%, poly-coated bottles
Sigma-Aldrich
(−)-Terpinen-4-ol, ≥95.0% (sum of enantiomers, GC)
Supelco
Palmitic acid, certified reference material, TraceCERT®, Manufactured by: Sigma-Aldrich Production GmbH, Switzerland
Supelco
Palmitic acid, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material
Supelco
Acetone, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material
Palmitic acid, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard
Sigma-Aldrich
Quercetin, ≥95% (HPLC), solid
Sigma-Aldrich
Acetonitrile solution, contains 0.1 % (v/v) formic acid, suitable for HPLC
Sigma-Aldrich
Methanol, anhydrous, 99.8%
Sigma-Aldrich
Eucalyptol, natural, ≥99%, FCC, FG
Sigma-Aldrich
Myrcene, technical grade
Sigma-Aldrich
Tridecane, ≥99%
Sigma-Aldrich
p-Cymene, ≥97%, FG
Sigma-Aldrich
Acetone, suitable for HPLC, ≥99.9%
Sigma-Aldrich
Acetonitrile solution, contains 0.05 % (v/v) trifluoroacetic acid
Sigma-Aldrich
Acetone, natural, ≥97%
Sigma-Aldrich
Undecane, ≥99%
Sigma-Aldrich
Heneicosane, 98%
Sigma-Aldrich
Tricosane, 99%
Sigma-Aldrich
Acetonitrile solution, contains 0.1 % (v/v) trifluoroacetic acid, suitable for HPLC
Supelco
Geraniol, analytical standard
Supelco
trans-Nerolidol, analytical standard
Sigma-Aldrich
Quercetin 3-β-D-glucoside, ≥90% (HPLC)
Supelco
Palmitic acid, analytical standard
Supelco
(+)-Terpinen-4-ol, analytical standard