Epilobium species are used in Romanian folk medicine as tinctures, tea, or tablets for ameliorating the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), but scientific-based evidence is scarce for this species or other endemic plants of the same genus. Therefore, the aims of this research were to evaluate the phytochemical profile of five endemic Epilobium species (E. hirsutum L., E. parviflorum Schreb., E. palustre L. E. dodonaei Vill., and E. angustifolium L.) and to assess their in vitro biological activity. For enhanced recovery of polyphenols, a D-optimal experimental plan was developed using Modde software and the optimal working conditions were ultra-turrax-assisted extraction, for 8 min, with 30% ethanol in water. The optimized extracts were obtained from various plant parts and were further characterized by LC-MS analysis, with the major compound being oenothein B. All extracts demonstrated good antioxidant activity, evaluated by DPPH and TEAC assays. The most prominent antimicrobial potency of optimized extracts was displayed against Bacillus cereus, while against Gram-(+) bacteria, a moderate efficacy was observed. Furthermore, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant potential were assessed on normal fibroblasts and prostate carcinoma cell lines. From the evaluated optimized extracts, E. angustifolium aerial parts had the highest selectivity toward killing cancerous cells, followed by E. hirsutum aerial parts extract. For the antioxidant effect, E. hirsutum leaves and E. hirstum aerial parts extracts displayed the highest potency, decreasing ROS at the level observed for the positive control. The highest anti-inflammatory potential, based on the IL-6 and IL-8 levels, was displayed by E. dodonaei aerial parts and E. angustifolium leaves extracts. In conclusion, all five endemic species of Epilobium harvested from Romanian flora possess a diverse phytochemical composition, which supports complex biological activities.

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Epilobium Species: From Optimization of the Extraction Process to Evaluation of Biological Properties

Malignant melanoma is an aggressive type of skin cancer characterised by high metastatic capacity and mortality rate. On the other hand, Epilobium parviflorum is known for its medicinal properties, including its anticancer potency. In this context, we aimed to (i) isolate various extracts of E. parviflorum, (ii) characterize their phytochemical content, and (iii) determine their cytotoxic potential in an in vitro model of human malignant melanoma. To these ends, we utilized various spectrophotometric and chromatographic (UPLC-MS/MS) approaches to document the higher content of the methanolic extract in polyphenols, soluble sugars, proteins, condensed tannins, and chlorophylls -a and -b as opposed to those of dichloromethane and petroleum. In addition, the cytotoxicity profiling of all extracts was assessed through a colorimetric-based Alamar Blue assay in human malignant melanoma (A375 and COLO-679) as well as non-tumorigenic immortalized keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. Overall, the methanolic extract was shown to exert significant cytotoxicity, in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, as opposed to the other extracts. The observed cytotoxicity was confined only to human malignant melanoma cells, whereas non-tumorigenic keratinocyte cells remained relatively unaffected. Finally, the expression levels of various apoptotic genes were assessed by qRT-PCR, indicating the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic cascades.

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Chemical Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Epilobium parviflorum Extracts in an In Vitro Model of Human Malignant Melanoma

The increased consumer demand for safe foods has led to the development of new preservation techniques (e [...]

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Editorial for the Special Issue, “Research on the Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Anti-Drug Properties of Plant Ingredients”

The present study was carried out to develop an experimental endodontic irrigant solution based on plant extracts obtained from Epilobium parviflorum Schreb. that largely replenish the properties of the usual antiseptics used in dentistry. Background: This study investigated the phytochemical contents of plant extracts obtained from Epilobium parviflorum Schreb. and their potential antibacterial activity. Methods: Identification and quantification of biologically active compounds were made by UV field photo spectrometry, adapting the Folin-Ciocalteu test method. Antibacterial activity was tested on pathological bacterial cultures collected from tooth with endodontic infections using a modified Kirby-Bauer diffuse metric method. Results: Polyphenols and flavonoids were present in all plant extracts; the hydroalcoholic extract had the highest amount of polyphenols—17.44 pyrogallol equivalent (Eq Pir)/mL and flavonoids—3.13 quercetin equivalent (Eq Qr)/mL. Plant extracts had antibacterial activity among the tested bacterial species with the following inhibition diameter: White Staphylococcus (16.5 mm), Streptococcus mitis (25 mm), Streptococcus sanguis (27 mm), Enterococcus faecalis (10 mm). Conclusions: All plant extracts contain polyphenols and flavonoids; the antibacterial activity was in direct ratio with the amount of the bioactive compounds.

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Mihaela Mociu

Papers

Studies Regarding the Antibacterial Effect of Plant Extracts Obtained from Epilobium parviflorum Schreb