Elsevier

Process Biochemistry

Volume 91, April 2020, Pages 113-125
Process Biochemistry

A comparative exploration of the phytochemical profiles and bio-pharmaceutical potential of Helichrysum stoechas subsp. barrelieri extracts obtained via five extraction techniques

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2019.12.002Get rights and content

Highlights

Abstract

We endeavoured to probe into and compare the possible effect(s) of different extraction techniques (accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasonication-assisted extraction (UAE), maceration, and Soxhlet extraction (SE)) on the bioactivity (antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities) of the aerial parts of Helichrysum stoechas subsp. barrelieri (Ten.) Nyman. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts obtained by different extraction methods followed the order of ASE > MAE > UAE > maceration > SE. Extract obtained by ASE was the most potent radical scavenger (219.92 and 313.12 mg Trolox equivalent [TE]/g, against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), respectively) and reducing agent (927.39 and 662.87 mg TE/g, for cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), respectively). Helichrysum stoechas extract obtained by UAE (18.67 mg ethylenediaminetetraacetic equivalent [EDTAE]/g) was the most active metal chelator and inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (4.23 mg galantamine equivalent [GALAE]/g) and butyrylcholinesterase (6.05 mg GALAE/g) cholinesterase. Extract from maceration (183.32 mg kojic acid equivalent [KAE]/g) was most active against tyrosinase while ASE extract (1.66 mmol acarbose equivalent [ACAE]/g) effectively inhibited α-glucosidase. In conclusion, data amassed herein tend to advocate for the use of non-conventional extraction techniques, namely ASE and UAE, for the extraction of bioactive secondary metabolites from H. stoechas aerial parts.

Introduction

The origin of the word Helichrysum genus comes from the ancient words “helios” (sun) and “chrysos” (gold) and reflects the intensively yellow colour of most flowers of this genus. The Helichrysum genus (Asteraceae) comprises approximately 600 species widely distributed in the southern regions of the world [1]. “Historia Plantarum”, one of the most important records of natural history written between the 2nd and 3rd century B.C. by the Greek Theophrastus of Eresos, described the use of Helichrysum genus for curative purposes. In addition, members of Helichyrsum genus have been documented to be used against snake bite and to treat burns [2]. “De Materia Medica” written by Pedanius Dioscorides reported the application of decoction of floral filaments of Helichrysum in wine against different inflammatory complications related to snake bites, sciatica, urinary tract and hernias [3]. Later during Renaissance, the Dutch botanist Herman Boerhaave reported the use of herbs from this genus in South Africa for the treatment of hysteria and nervousness [4]. However, though medicinally used in many countries, there still a paucity of scientific information to validate such traditionally uses [2].

Helichrysum stoechas subsp. barrelieri, commonly known as everlasting, has a long traditional use in several cultures across the word.Ethnobotanical survey in the north-east of Portugal revealed that decoctions of H. stoechas have been used against cold, bronchitis, and fever [5]. In the Spanish folk medicine, H. stoechas is used for mitigation of inflammatory complications, for wound healing, to soothe toothache, manage urologic and digestive disorders [2]. Other traditional medicinal uses of H. stoechas includes the treatment of influenza, nervousness, and pancreatic problems [6]. Scientific studies have focused on the biological potential H. stoechas and reported its anti-α-glucosidase, anti-tyrosinase, anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-dipeptidyl peptidase-4, and antioxidant activities [6]. Hydroalcoholic extract of H. stoechas has been identified as promising candidates for the cosmetic industry. Hydroalcoholic extract of H. stoechas, rich in 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid and myricetin O-acetylhexoside antioxidant properties, was successfully used for the development of polycaprolactone based microspheres which were incorporated into a moisturizer [5]. The ethanolic extract of H. stoechas exhibited analgesic effect in vivo [7]. Dichloromethane extract of H. stoechas aerial part demonstrated antibacterial (Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium phlei) and antifungal (Candida albicans) properties. Arzanol, α-pyrone, helipyrone, p-hydroxybenzoic, caffeic acid, neochlorogenic acid, 5,7-dihydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxyflavone, isoquercitrinand, quercetagetin-7-O-glucopyranoside, and santinol B have been isolated from the methanolic extracts of H. stoechas [6]. The capitula of H. stoechas extracted with 70 % ethanol () showed significant amounts of phenolic acids (chlorogenic and quinic acid and their derivatives) as well as other polyphenols such as quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin glucosides, and tetrahydroxychalcone-glucoside [8].

Increased concerns about the negative impact of chemicals on the environment has resulted in a paradigm shift whereby more ecologically friendly approach are been being favored. Tremendous efforts are being made to apply the principle of ‘green chemistry and technology’ in the area of phytochemistry and drug development from natural products. Scientists are investigating the effectiveness of novel extraction methods on the bioactivity of natural compounds compared to well-known and widely used conventional unsustainable and environmentally unfriendly extraction techniques [9,10]. Recently, several scientific studies have reported multiple bioactivities of H.stoechas. However, the possible effects of extraction techniques on extraction of bioactive secondary metabolites from H. stoechas have not been explored. Additionally, there are no reported studies in terms of assessment of extraction conditions on bioactive properties of obtained extracts. Therefore, the present study sets out to employ conventional and non-conventional extraction techniques (maceration and soxhlet extraction (SE), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and ultrasonication-assisted extraction (UAE)) to extract bioactive compounds from H. stoechas aerial parts. Besides, the antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of the different extracts will be gauged using standard in vitro bio-assays.

Section snippets

Collection of plant material

Helichyrsum stoechas was cultivated at the Mugla area in Turkey and was collected during late spring in 2017. Identification and conformation of plant material as well as issuing of voucher specimen (MARE-19324) was done by botanist Dr. Gizem Bulut from the Marmara University (Istanbul, Turkey). Naturally dried plant material (aerial parts as mix) was minced and stored in the dark at the room temperature.

Extraction techniques

In order to get detailed insight in extraction influence on bioactives isolation from H.

Results and discussion

The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts of H. stoechas aerial parts obtained by different extraction techniques followed this order ASE > MAE > UAE > maceration > SE (Fig. 1B). Previously it was reported that ASE was the most efficient method for the extraction of phenolics compared to shaking, vortex mixing, stirring, and sonication [18]. Accelerated solvent extraction involves the use of ordinary solvents under elevated temperature and pressure for extraction of bioactive

Conclusion

In line with advances in extraction technologies, advocating “green” extraction methods meeting sustainable development goals, the present study attempted to investigate the possible variances in bioactivity of H. stoechas subsp. barrelieri aerial parts extracted using conventional and non-conventional extraction techniques. ASE, using high temperature and high pressure, was the most efficient extraction method for phenolics and flavonoids. Likewise, H. stoechas extract obtained by ASE

Ethical approval

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects.

Informed consent

Not applicable.

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Gokhan Zengin: Conceptualization, Data curation, Investigation, Writing - original draft. Aleksandra Cvetanović: Conceptualization, Data curation, Investigation, Writing - original draft. Uroš Gašić: Conceptualization, Data curation, Investigation, Writing - original draft. Živoslav Tešić: Conceptualization, Data curation, Investigation, Writing - original draft. Alena Stupar: Conceptualization, Data curation, Investigation, Writing - original draft. Gizem Bulut: Investigation, Methodology.

Declaration of Competing Interest

None.

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