Hypericum perforatum: Influences of the habitat on chemical composition, photo-induced cytotoxicity, and antiradical activity. (July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marrelli, Mariangela; Conforti, Filomena; Toniolo, Chiara; Nicoletti, Marcello; Statti, Giancarlo; Menichini, Francesco
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical biology. Volume 52:Number 7(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 909
• Page End: 918
• Publication Date: 2014-07
• Subjects: Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; 615.321
• DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2013.872675
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-0209

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Context</italic>: Hypericin, isolated from <italic>Hypericum perforatum</italic> L. and about another 300 <italic>Hypericum</italic> species (Guttiferae), is one of the most powerful photosensitizers found in nature.</p> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>: The aim of this study was to assess the variability of chemical composition and biological activities of four <italic>H. perforatum</italic> samples, collected at different altitudes in the South Apennine of Italy.</p> <p> <italic>Materials and methods</italic>: MTT assay was used to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of different samples concentrations (0.6–100 µg/mL) after irradiation at 365 nm. The inhibition of nitric oxide production was evaluated after 24 h of incubation using the macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 and sample solutions ranging from 12.5 to 1000 µg/mL. Antioxidant activities were evaluated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and β-carotene bleaching test (ranges were 12.5–1000 and 1–400 µg/mL, respectively). Chemical composition was evaluated through HPTLC, and different contents of hypericin and rutin have been observed.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: The most phototoxic sample was collected from Zumpano (no. 1 at 370 m), with IC<sub>50</sub> values of 24.61 ± 0.02 μg/mL. Sample no. 1 showed also the best radical scavenging activity (IC<sub>50</sub> value of 9.18 ± 0.03 μg/mL) and the best antioxidant activity (IC<sub>50</sub> value of 10.04 ± 0.03 μg/mL after 30 min of incubation). Best activity of extract no. 1 was well in accordance with chemical data, including the phenolic total content and particular metabolome profile.</p> <p> <italic>Discussion and conclusion</italic>: This paper confirms the usefulness in maintaining the exploration of <italic>H. perforatum</italic> activities, in order to confirm its potentiality as a multipurpose plant.</p> </abstract>