Unveiling the Antioxidant and Antibiofilm Potential of Leonurus cardiaca Extracts Through Advanced Analytical Techniques

In a collaborative effort across Italy, Spain, and Turkey, a team of researchers explored the analytical landscape of Leonurus cardiaca, or common motherwort, extracts, shedding light on their antioxidant capabilities and antibiofilm potential. The study, published in the Journal of Separation Science, delves into the detailed analysis of methanolic, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, hexane, and water extractions from L. cardiaca.

Pile of dried motherwort plant and fresh branch of motherwort isolated on a white background. Herbal medicine - Leonurus Cardiaca. | Image Credit: © domnitsky

The research team, whose affiliations include Selcuk University in Konya, Turkey, D'Annunzio University of Chieti–Pescara in Chieti, Italy, Istanbul Medipol University in Turkey, the Institute of Food Science (CNR-ISA) in Avellino, Italy, the Food Sciences Research Institute (CSIC-UAM) in Madrid, Spain, and Marmara University in Istanbul, Turkey, employed online high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodologies to unravel the chemical composition and biological activities of these distinct extracts.

In the online-HPLC-antioxidant analysis, rosmarinic acid emerged as the predominant antioxidant across all samples, showcasing concentrations ranging from 6 to 15 ppm at wavelengths of 517 and 734 nm. Particularly noteworthy was the robust antioxidant activity observed in the water extract, suggesting potential therapeutic applications.

The study also examined acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition, revealing that the n-hexane extract exhibited superior inhibition with values of 3.08 and 5.83 galanthamine equivalent, respectively. These findings hint at the potential neuroprotective effects of L. cardiaca extracts.

Of significant interest was the antibiofilm activity exhibited by the extracts. At a concentration of 20 μg/mL, all tested extracts except for water demonstrated substantial inhibitory activity against biofilm formation. In many cases, inhibition levels surpassed 80%, reaching an impressive 94.52% against Escherichia coli. The extracts also displayed efficacy against mature biofilms, with inhibition percentages reaching up to 76.50% against Staphylococcus aureus.

Furthermore, the extracts showcased their ability to combat the metabolism inside both immature and mature biofilms, with inhibition percentages reaching up to 93.18% against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 76.50% against Acinetobacter baumannii.

The comprehensive analysis of L. cardiaca extracts highlights their multifaceted potential, combining significant antioxidants, enzyme inhibition, and antimicrobial activity. These findings position L. cardiaca as a promising candidate for therapeutic applications, offering a nuanced understanding of its potential in addressing oxidative stress, neurodegenerative conditions, and bacterial biofilm-related challenges.

This collaborative endeavor not only expands our knowledge of L. cardiaca but also underscores the importance of advanced analytical techniques, such as online HPLC, in unraveling the intricate interplay between botanical compounds and their biological effects. As the scientific community continues to explore the potential of natural extracts, studies like these pave the way for innovative applications in medicine and beyond.

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Reference

(1) Nilofar; Eyupoglu, O. E.; Nazzaro, F.; et al. An Analytical Framework Combining Online High Performance Liquid Chromatography Methodologies and Biological Properties of Different Extracts of Leonurus cardiaca. J. Sep. Sci. 2023, e2300695. DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202300695