Journal Article

Phytochemical Profiles and Antioxidant Activities in Six Species of Ramie Leaves

Wang, Gaoyan, Chen, Yongsheng, Zang, Gonggu, Wang, Hong, Guo, Xinbo, Liu, Rui Hai, Cheng, Chaohua

2014

Overview

Increased consumption of vegetables or plant food has been associated with decreased risk of developing major chronic diseases, such as cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and age-related functional decline. Ramie leaves are rich in phenolics and flavonoids, which have been suggested for human health benefits. Phenolic contents, flavonoid contents, phenolic compounds, and anti-cancer properties in six species of ramie leaves were analyzed by Folin-reagent method, sodium borohydride/chloranil-based assay (SBC), HPLC method and antiproliferation, cytoxicity, respectively. Antioxidant activities were measured through peroxyl radical scavenging capacity (PSC) method, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method, and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA). Research indicated that Boehmeria penduliflora contained the highest total phenolic content (2313.7±27.28 mg GAE/100 g FW), and flavonoid content (1682.4±27.70 mg CAE/100 g FW). Boehmeria tricuspis showed the highest PSC value (9574.8±117.63 µM vit. C equiv./100 g FW), while Boehmeria penduliflora indicated the highest ORAC value (330.44±16.88 µmol Trolox equiv./g FW). The antioxidant activities were correlated with phenolic contents and flavonoid contents. Boehmeria tricuspis had the highest antiproliferative capacity with the lowest EC₅₀ (4.11±0.19 mg/mL). The results for the analyzed ramie for CAA were significantly different from each other (p<0.05), Boehmeria tricuspis had the highest CAA value (133.63±7.10 µmol QE/100 g). Benzoic acid, 4-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid were the dominant phenolic ingredients in the ramie leaves according to HPLC analysis. Our research is the first report to study the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities in different species of ramie leaves for their health benefit.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Acids / Age / Anticancer properties / Antioxidants / Antioxidants (Nutrients) / Antioxidants - analysis / Antioxidants - pharmacology / Benzoic acid / Biology and Life Sciences / Boehmeria - chemistry / Boehmeria - classification / Boehmeria nivea / Boehmeria penduliflora / Boehmeria tricuspis / Caffeic acid / Cancer / Cardiovascular diseases / Cell Line, Tumor / Cell Proliferation - drug effects / Chemistry / Chloranil / Chronic illnesses / Coumaric acid / Crop diseases / Diabetes mellitus / Dietary fiber / Ferulic acid / Flavonoids / Flavonoids - analysis / Food plants / Food science / Free radicals / Fruits / Health risks / Heart diseases / High-performance liquid chromatography / Humans / Isoflavones / Leaves / Liquid chromatography / Medical research / Medicine and Health Sciences / Organic acids / Oxidative stress / Oxygen / Phenols / Phenols - analysis / Physiology / Phytochemicals / Phytochemicals - analysis / Phytochemicals - pharmacology / Plant Extracts - pharmacology / Plant Leaves - chemistry / Sodium / Species Specificity / Vegetables / Vitamin E