Evaluation of different solvents for phytochemical compounds, antioxidant activities, cholinesterase inhibition, and anti-HepG2 cell proliferation of three plant parts in Elaeagnus mollis

doi:10.5246/jcps.2025.05.031

Abstract

Abstract:

To explore the potential utilization of Elaeagnus mollis, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of its phytochemical composition, antioxidant properties, cholinesterase inhibition, and anti-HepG2 cell proliferation activity across different plant parts (branch wood, branch bark, and pericarp) using various solvents (water, methanol, ethanol, and n-hexane). Our findings revealed that water extracts displayed superior antioxidant activities in ABTS and RP assays, while methanol extracts exhibited better performance in DPPH and FRAP assays. Moreover, methanol extracts demonstrated the highest effectiveness against anti-HepG2 cell proliferation, whereas n-hexane extracts showed greater efficiency in cholinesterase inhibition. Notably, branch bark extracts exhibited the highest levels of phytochemical compounds, with both branch bark and pericarp extracts demonstrating significant effects in cholinesterase inhibition and anti-HepG2 cell proliferation. Correlation analysis indicated that phytochemical compounds were primarily responsible for the observed biological activities. Overall, extracts from the branch bark and pericarp of E. mollis showed promising potential for antioxidant and anticancer activities, suggesting their suitability for applications in the pharmaceutical industry as health-promoting products.

Key words: Elaeagnus mollis, Phytochemical compounds, Antioxidant activity, Cholinesterase inhibitory, Anti-HepG2 cell proliferation activities

Supporting:

Hao Zhong, Jingmiao Li, Changle Li, Yulin Liu. Evaluation of different solvents for phytochemical compounds, antioxidant activities, cholinesterase inhibition, and anti-HepG2 cell proliferation of three plant parts in Elaeagnus mollis[J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025, 34(5): 411-422.

Figures/Tables 6

Table 1. Total phytochemical compound contents of the tested extracts.

Table 2. Antioxidant capacities of the tested extracts.

Table 3. Cholinesterase inhibition of the tested extracts.

Table 4. Anti-HepG2 cell proliferation activities of the tested extracts.

References 29

[1]	Liu, R.T.; Bi, R.C.; Zhao, H.L. Biomass partitioning and water content relationships at the branch and whole-plant levels and as a function of plant size in Elaeagnus mollis populations in Shanxi, North China. Acta Ecol. Sin. 2009, 29, 139–143.
[2]	Medina, R.; Franco, M.E.E.; da Cruz Cabral, L.; Bahima, J.V.; Patriarca, A.; Balatti, P.A.; Saparrat, M.C.N. The secondary metabolites profile of Stemphylium lycopersici, the causal agent of tomato grey leaf spot, is complex and includes host and non-host specific toxins. Australas. Plant Pathol. 2021, 50, 105–115.
[3]	Wang, C.X.; Duan, Z.H.; Fan, L.P.; Li, J.W. Supercritical CO₂ fluid extraction of Elaeagnus mollis Diels seed oil and its antioxidant ability. Molecules. 2019, 24, 911.
[4]	Mu, J.L.; Wu, G.; Chen, Z.Z.; Brennan, C.S.; Tran, K.; Dilrukshi, H.N.N.; Shi, C.M.; Zhen, H.W.; Hui, X.D. Identification of the fatty acids profiles in supercritical CO₂ fluid and Soxhlet extraction of Samara oil from different cultivars of Elaeagnus mollis Diels seeds. J. Food Compos. Anal. 2021, 101, 103982.
[5]	Bitwell, C.; Indra, S.S.; Luke, C.; Kakoma, M.K. A review of modern and conventional extraction techniques and their applications for extracting phytochemicals from plants. Sci. Afr. 2023, 19, e01585.
[6]	Do, Q.D.; Angkawijaya, A.E.; Tran-Nguyen, P.L.; Huynh, L.H.; Soetaredjo, F.E.; Ismadji, S.; Ju, Y.H. Effect of extraction solvent on total phenol content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of Limnophila aromatica. J. Food Drug Anal. 2014, 22, 296–302.
[7]	Singleton, V.L.; Rossi, J.A. Jr. Colorimetry of total phenolics with phosphomolybdic-phosphotungstic acid reagents. Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 1965, 16, 144–158.
[8]	Djeridane, A.; Yousfi, M.; Nadjemi, B.; Boutassouna, D.; Stocker, P.; Vidal, N. Antioxidant activity of some algerian medicinal plants extracts containing phenolic compounds. Food Chem. 2006, 97, 654–660.
[9]	Tian, W.Y.; Zhi, H.; Yang, C.; Wang, L.K.; Long, J.T.; Xiao, L.M.; Liang, J.Z.; Huang, Y.; Zheng, X.; Zhao, S.Q.; Zhang, K.; Zheng, J.X. Chemical composition of alkaloids of Plumula nelumbinis and their antioxidant activity from different habitats in China. Ind. Crops Prod. 2018, 125, 537–548.
[10]	Gunathilake, K.D.P.P.; Ranaweera, K.K.D.S. Antioxidative properties of 34 green leafy vegetables. J. Funct. Foods. 2016, 26, 176–186.
[11]	Gogoi, R.; Loying, R.; Sarma, N.; Munda, S.; Kumar Pandey, S.; Lal, M. A comparative study on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, genotoxicity, anti-microbial activities and chemical composition of fruit and leaf essential oils of Litsea cubeba Pers from North-east India. Ind. Crops Prod. 2018, 125, 131–139.
[12]	Gülçın, İ.; Oktay, M.; Kıreçcı, E.; Küfrevıoǧlu, Ö.İ. Screening of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) seed extracts. Food Chem. 2003, 83, 371–382.
[13]	Benzie, I.F.F.; Strain, J.J. The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) as a measure of "antioxidant power": the FRAP assay. Anal. Biochem. 1996, 239, 70–76.
[14]	Nazir, N.; Zahoor, M.; Nisar, M.; Karim, N.; Latif, A.; Ahmad, S.; Uddin, Z. Evaluation of neuroprotective and anti-amnesic effects of Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. On scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. BMC Complement. Med. Ther. 2020, 20, 143.
[15]	Liang, R.; Cheng, S.; Dong, Y.F.; Ju, H.P. Intracellular antioxidant activity and apoptosis inhibition capacity of PEF-treated KDHCH in HepG2 cells. Food Res. Int. 2019, 121, 336–347.
[16]	Orhan, I.E.; Senol, F.S.; Gulpinar, A.R.; Sekeroglu, N.; Kartal, M.; Sener, B. Neuroprotective potential of some terebinth coffee brands and the unprocessed fruits of Pistacia terebinthus L. and their fatty and essential oil analyses. Food Chem. 2012, 130, 882–888.
[17]	Dong, H.M.; Zhang, Q.; Li, L.; Liu, J.; Shen, L.W.; Li, H.Y.; Qin, W. Antioxidant activity and chemical compositions of essential oil and ethanol extract of Chuanminshen violaceum. Ind. Crops Prod. 2015, 76, 290–297.
[18]	Roby, M.H.H.; Sarhan, M.A.; Selim, K.A.H.; Khalel, K.I. Evaluation of antioxidant activity, total phenols and phenolic compounds in thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.), and marjoram (Origanum Majorana L.) extracts. Ind. Crops Prod. 2013, 43, 827–831.
[19]	Naczk, M.; Shahidi, F. Phenolics in cereals, fruits and vegetables: Occurrence, extraction and analysis. J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 2006, 41, 1523–1542.
[20]	Ben El Hadj Ali, I.; Bahri, R.; Chaouachi, M.; Boussaïd, M.; Harzallah-Skhiri, F. Phenolic content, antioxidant and allelopathic activities of various extracts of Thymus numidicus Poir. organs. Ind. Crops Prod. 2014, 62, 188–195.
[21]	Chandrasekara, A.; Shahidi, F. Determination of antioxidant activity in free and hydrolyzed fractions of millet grains and characterization of their phenolic profiles by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn. J. Funct. Foods. 2011, 3, 144–158.
[22]	Juan-Badaturuge, M.; Habtemariam, S.; Thomas, M.J.K. Antioxidant compounds from a South Asian beverage and medicinal plant, Cassia auriculata. Food Chem. 2011, 125, 221–225.
[23]	Lanfer-Marquez, U.M.; Barros, R.M.C.; Sinnecker, P. Antioxidant activity of chlorophylls and their derivatives. Food Res. Int. 2005, 38, 885–891.
[24]	Alimpić, A.; Pljevljakušić, D.; Šavikin, K.; Knežević, A.; Ćurčić, M.; Veličković, D.; Stević, T.; Petrović, G.; Matevski, V.; Vukojević, J.; Marković, S.; Marin, P.D.; Duletić-Laušević, S. Composition and biological effects of Salvia ringens (Lamiaceae) essential oil and extracts. Ind. Crops Prod. 2015, 76, 702–709.
[25]	Baloglu, M.C.; Llorent-Martínez, E.J.; Aumeeruddy, M.Z.; Mahomoodally, M.F.; Altunoglu, Y.C.; Ustaoglu, B.; Ocal, M.; Gürel, S.; Bene, K.; Sinan, K.I.; Zengin, G. Multidirectional insights on Chrysophyllum perpulchrum leaves and stem bark extracts: HPLC-ESI-MSn profiles, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties. Ind. Crops Prod. 2019, 134, 33–42.
[26]	Bilska, A.; Kobus-Cisowska, J.; Kmiecik, D.; Danyluk, B.; Kowalski, R.; Szymanowska, D.; Gramza-Michałowska, A.; Szczepaniak, O. Cholinesterase inhibitory activity, antioxidative potential and microbial stability of innovative liver pâté fortified with rosemary extract (Rosmarinus officinalis). Electron. J. Biotechnol. 2019, 40, 22–29.
[27]	Ozen, T.; Yenigun, S.; Altun, M.; Demirtas, I. Phytochemical constituents, ChEs and urease inhibitions, antiproliferative and antioxidant properties of elaeagnus umbellata thunb. Comb. Chem. High Throughput Screen. 2017, 20, 559–578.
[28]	Herbert, A.; Roger, T.; Clautilde, M.; Roger, T.; Jean-Baptiste, B.; De-Dieu, W.J.; Adoum, D.; Zephirin, O.H.; Adoum, D.; Marie, M.P. Vegetative propagation by root segments cuttings of Sclerocarya birrea (A. rich.) hochst: effects of substrate and mycorrhizal inocula on the ability to root cuttings. Am. J. Agric. Biol. Sci. 2022, 17, 40–50.
[29]	López-Tinoco, C.; Roca, M.; García-Valero, A.; Murri, M.; Tinahones, F.J.; Segundo, C.; Bartha, J.L.; Aguilar-Diosdado, M. Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in patients with late-onset gestational diabetes mellitus. Acta Diabetol. 2013, 50, 201–208.