Anti-aging activities of extracts from Tunisian medicinal halophytes and their aromatic constituents

EXCLI J. 2017 May 22;16:755-769. doi: 10.17179/excli2017-244. eCollection 2017. Jdey A1,2,3, Falleh H2, Ben Jannet S2, Mkadmini Hammi K2, Dauvergne X3, Magné C3, Ksouri R2. Author information 1 Faculty of Sciences at Bizerte, 7021 Zarzouna, Tunisia. 2 Laboratory of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Centre for Biotechnologies, Technopôle of Borj-Cédria, BP 901, 2050 Hammam-Lif, Tunisia. 3 EA 2219 Geoarchitecture, University of Western Brittany, 6 av. V. Le Gorgeu, CS 93837, Brest Cedex 3, France. Abstract Six medicinal halophytes widely represented in North Africa and commonly used in traditional medicine were screened for pharmacological properties to set out new promising sources of natural ingredients for cosmetic or nutraceutical applications. Thus, Citrullus colocynthis, Cleome arabica, Daemia cordata, Haloxylon articulatum, Pituranthos scoparius and Scorzonera undulata were examined for their in vitro antioxidant (DPPH scavenging and superoxide anion-scavenging, β-carotene bleaching inhibition and iron-reducing tests), antibacterial (microdilution method, against four human pathogenic bacteria) and anti-tyrosinase activities. Besides, their aromatic composition was determined by RP-HPLC. H. articulatum shoot extracts exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity and inhibited efficiently the growth of Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli. P. scoparius and C. arabica inhibited slightly monophenolase, whereas H. articulatum was the most efficient inhibitor of diphenolase activity. Furthermore, H. articulatum exhibited the highest aromatic content (3.4 % DW), with dopamine as the major compound. These observations suggest that shoot extract of H. articulatum, and to a lesser extent of C. arabica, could be used as antioxidant, antibiotic as well as new natural skin lightening agents. Also, possible implication of aromatic compounds in anti-tyrosinase activity is discussed. KEYWORDS: anti-aging; aromatic composition; biological activities; ethnobotany; medicinal halophytes PMID: 28827992 PMCID: PMC5547381 DOI: 10.17179/excli2017-244 Free PMC Article Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Google+