Chemical and biological fingerprints of two Fabaceae species (Cytisopsis dorycniifolia and Ebenus hirsuta): Are they novel sources of natural agents for pharmaceutical and food formulations?

• Cytisopsis dorycniifolia had the highest antioxidant activity and phenolics content.
• Ebenus hirsuta had remarkable antimicrobial and antigenotoxic effects.
• First report of the biological activity and bioactive components of these species.
• Hyperoside, rutin, and hesperidin were detected as main components in the extracts.
• These species may be considered as source of novel bioactive agents.

In the present study, the methanolic extracts of Cytisopsis dorycniifolia and Ebenus hirsuta were analyzed for antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, antimicrobial and antigenotoxic activities. The identification and quantification of phenolic compounds in these extracts were performed using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) technique, and the main components were hyperoside, rutin, hesperidin, tannic acid and p-coumaric acid. The extracts had remarkable biological effects. Generally, C. dorycniifolia had higher level of bioactive components and exhibited stronger in vitro antioxidant effects than E. hirsuta. E. hirsuta was active especially against bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens and Agrobacterium tumefaciens and fungi Puncturella fastigiata, while C. dorycniifolia was active against bacteria E. faecalis and had moderate activity against Trichoderma species. The extracts displayed strong antigenotoxic effects (98.6% for E. hirsuta and 76.3% for C. dorycniifolia). Our findings suggested that C. dorycniifolia and E. hirsuta could be beneficial for the preparation of high-value pharmaceuticals and functional food ingredients.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide