Evaluating Phytochemical Profiles, Cytotoxicity, Antiviral Activity, Antioxidant Potential, and Enzyme Inhibition of <i>Vepris boiviniana</i> Extracts

In the present study, we performed comprehensive LC-MS chemical profiling and biological tests of <i>Vepris boiviniana</i> leaves and stem bark extracts of different polarities. In total, 60 bioactive compounds were tentatively identified in all extracts. The 80% ethanolic stem bark extr...

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Main Authors: Kassim Bakar, Nilofar, Andilyat Mohamed, Łukasz Świątek, Benita Hryć, Elwira Sieniawska, Barbara Rajtar, Claudio Ferrante, Luigi Menghini, Gokhan Zengin, Małgorzata Polz-Dacewicz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-11-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/22/7531
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Summary:In the present study, we performed comprehensive LC-MS chemical profiling and biological tests of <i>Vepris boiviniana</i> leaves and stem bark extracts of different polarities. In total, 60 bioactive compounds were tentatively identified in all extracts. The 80% ethanolic stem bark extract exhibited the highest activity in the ABTS assay, equal to 551.82 mg TE/g. The infusion extract of stem bark consistently demonstrated elevated antioxidant activity in all assays, with values ranging from 137.39 mg TE/g to 218.46 mg TE/g. Regarding the enzyme inhibitory assay, aqueous extracts from both bark and leaves exhibited substantial inhibition of AChE, with EC<sub>50</sub> values of 2.41 mg GALAE/g and 2.25 mg GALAE/g, respectively. The 80% ethanolic leaf extract exhibited the lowest cytotoxicity in VERO cells (CC<sub>50</sub>: 613.27 µg/mL) and demonstrated selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells, particularly against H1HeLa cells, indicating potential therapeutic specificity. The 80% ethanolic bark extract exhibited elevated toxicity in VERO cells but had reduced anticancer selectivity. The n-hexane extracts, notably the leaves’ n-hexane extract, displayed the highest toxicity towards non-cancerous cells with selectivity towards H1HeLa and RKO cells. In viral load assessment, all extracts reduced HHV-1 load by 0.14–0.54 log and HRV-14 viral load by 0.13–0.72 log, indicating limited antiviral activity. In conclusion, our research underscores the diverse bioactive properties of <i>Vepris boiviniana</i> extracts, exhibiting potent antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and cytotoxicity potential against cancer cells.
ISSN:1420-3049