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Monday 19 December 2016

Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.): phytochemical profile, antioxidative, cholinesterase inhibitory and vasodilatory activity.

2016 Jul;53(7):3104-3112. Epub 2016 Jul 14.


Author information

  • 1Department of Food Technology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 35, 21000 Split, Croatia.
  • 2Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 35, 21000 Split, Croatia.
  • 3Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia.
  • 4Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 35, 21000 Split, Croatia.
  • 5Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, 21000 Split, Croatia.

Abstract

Sea fennel, a rediscovered star of the coastal cuisine, has been investigated for its phytochemical profile and biological potential. Sea fennel flowers, stems and leaves were analyzed for essential oils (EOs) isolated by hydrodistillation, as well as non-volatiles obtained by ethanolic extraction. Limonene were found to be a dominant compound in EOs and ethanolic extracts; ranging from 57.5-74.2 % and 0.7-8.1 mg/g dry plant material, respectively. In addition total phenolic content was determined for ethanolic extracts. All samples and their main phytochemicals were tested for various methods. EO and extract obtained from flowers were tested for vasodilatory activity on rat aortic rings. Antioxidant activity of EOs was extremely low in comparison to extracts, on the contrary to cholinesterase inhibition where EOs showed better activity than extracts. Flower extract and chlorogenic acid showed stronger vasodilators in comparison to EO and limonene. The obtained results point out the potential impact of the dominant compounds from EO and extract on the biological properties of the sea fennel.

KEYWORDS:

Antioxidation; Chlorogenic acid; Cholinesterase inhibition; Limonene; Vasodilatation