Comparative phytochemical analysis of Gentiana cruciata L. roots and aerial parts, and their biological activities

• Secoiridoid glycosides and loganic acid were major components in G. cruciata extracts.
• Orientin, vitexin and two isovitexin-glucosides were also identified in extracts.
• The antioxidant activity of aerial part extract was higher than that of roots extract.
• pH changes and high temperature did not affect antioxidant properties of extracts.
• Extracts showed antigenotoxicity against CCl4 in the liver of albino Wistar rats.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of methanol extracts of Gentiana cruciata L. aerial parts and roots, as well as the stability of the phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of extracts during heating, at different pHs and after an in vitro digestion procedure. Also, their genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity against carbon tetrachloride in the liver of albino Wistar rats using the comet assay were evaluated. Three secoiridoid glycosides (swertiamarin, gentiopicrin, and sweroside) and four phenolic compounds (orientin, vitexin and two isovitexin-glucosides) were identified as the major constituents in aerial parts and roots of G. cruciata, using UHPLC-DAD/±HESI-MS/MS analysis. The results of antioxidant assays showed that aerial parts displayed higher antioxidant activity compared to the roots, which could be related to higher phenolics content, especially flavonoids. In general, extracts showed pH and thermal stability, while duodenal condition had more influence on total phenolic condition and antioxidant activity of extracts. Both extracts showed a protective effect against CCl4 in comet assays. The roots extract showed no genotoxic activity, while aerial parts extract showed slight genotoxicity at concentrations of 400 mg/kg b.w.

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