Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

In vitro antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-tumor activities of total flavonoids from Elsholtzia densa Benth

Ren Qiu-Rong, Li Jiao, Wang Ya-Nan , Gou Xun, Xin Wen-Yuan, Ma Dan-Wei, Xiong Xiu-Hong, Zhou Yu-Jun

College of Life Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China;

For correspondence:- Wang Ya-Nan Email: 273218760@qq.com Tel:+862884480655

Accepted: 20 November 2017 Published: 29 December 2017

Citation: Qiu-Rong R, Jiao L, Ya-Nan W, Xun G, Wen-Yuan X, Dan-Wei M, et al. In vitro antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-tumor activities of total flavonoids from Elsholtzia densa Benth. Trop J Pharm Res 2017; 16(12):2935-2942 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v16i12.18

© 2017 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-tumor activities of total flavonoids from Elsholtzia densa Benth of Sichuan Province, China.

Methods: The total flavonoids of Elsholtzia densa Bent were extracted utilizing the ultrasonic extraction method, and purified by D101 macroporous adsorption resin. An in vitro antioxidant test, 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and iCELLigence system were used to evaluate their antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-tumor activities.

Results: The results showed that the total flavonoids exhibited good scavenging ability in hydroxyl radical (•OH), DPPH free radical (DPPH•), and super oxide anion radical (O₂^-•). Antioxidant activity was higher than for control (ascorbic acid). Their antibacterial activity was good with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2, 4 and 14 μg/mL against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, respectively. Anti-proliferation data from the iCELLigence system studies showed that the total flavonoids significantly inhibited the growth of five types of cells, including a normal human hepatocytes cell line (L02), two human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (SMMC-7721 and HepG-2), a human cervical cancer cell line (Hela) and a Baby Hamster Syrian Kidney cell line (BHK-21) (p < 0.05). AO/EB staining indicate that the total flavonoids might cause apoptosis of Hela cells.

Conclusion: The results suggest that the total flavonoids from Elsholtzia densa Bent are potential natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agent, with anti-cancer properties

Keywords: Elsholtzia densa Benth., Total flavonoids, Antioxidant activity, Antibacterial activity, Anti-tumor activity