Bioactivity of the extracts and compounds of Ruscus aculeatus L. and Ruscus hypoglossum L.

Here we report on the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of several extracts of Ruscus aculeatus L. and Ruscus hypoglossum L., as well as of some compounds previously isolated from them (p-coumaric and caffeic acids, rutin). For antimicrobial activity, the microdilution technique was used against eight bacterial and five fungal strains, along with standard drugs (streptomycin, ampicillin, bifonazole, ketoconazole). Investigated extracts and isolated compounds showed antibacterial and especially antifungal activity. In some cases this activity was better than standard drugs (streptomycin, ampicillin, bifonazole, ketoconazole) and was more evident for some of isolated compounds. Antioxidant activity was investigated by DPPH and 2-deoxyribose assays, along with spectrophotometrical determination of total phenolics content (TPC) using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. In DPPH test obtained SC50 values were in a range of 173-541 μg/mL, while inhibition of 2-deoxyribose for some extracts reached up to maximal 50%. Results of antioxidant assays were strongly correlated with total phenolics content. The most active was the EtOAc fraction of the MeOH extract of R. aculeatus herb regarding all investigated parameters.