The Leaves of Aronia melanocarpa L. and Hippophae rhamnoides L. as Source of Active Ingredients for Biopharmaceutical Engineering

Linking Europe and Central Asia, Romania is considered to be an important meeting point between different biogeographic regions and ecosystems. In this context, Romanian flora is truly an exceptional source of biological active phytocompounds, basis of new biopharmaceuticals. Data indicate that in Romania there are about 3600 higher plants (ferns and flowering plants) that grow wild and other 800 hybrid species. Amongst these, about 800 are medicinal species, some of them unique in Europe. In order to demonstrate their potential use as active ingredients in biopharmaceutical engineering, this work was aimed at revealing chemical composition, particularly polyphenols profile (HPTLC method) and antioxidant activity (DPPH method) face to potential dermal benefits (single and repeated dose tolerance test in rabbits) of two (ethanolic) extracts prepared from some less studied plant pieces of two valuable phytomedicines; leaves of chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa L.) and leaves of sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.). Analytical studies have shown the occurrence of numerous polyphenols species, quercetin, gallic and caffeoylquinic acid derivates, known to have a high antioxidant potency. DPPH assay has confirmed high antioxidant activity of both vegetal extracts, even stronger than that of references, rutin and gallic acid phenolics (IC50 ranging from 2.66 to 5.08 μg / mL). In vivo, pharmacological studies have indicated good dermal tolerance and healthy, supple and reepitelized tegument after being treated with both vegetal extracts, which has revealed their potential use as antioxidant and healing ingredients for (topic) biopharmaceuticals. Thus, while Aronia melanocarpa L. as well as Hippophae rhamnoides L. are known for their valuable fruit and seed derived products, this study proves that the (ethanolic) extracts prepared from their leaves pieces should also be taken into consideration.