Innovative perspectives on Pulicaria dysenterica extracts: phyto-pharmaceutical properties, chemical characterization and multivariate analysis

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the influence of different extraction procedures [decoction, homogenizer-assisted extraction (HAE), infusion, maceration, Soxhlet and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE)] on the chemical profiling and biological properties of methanol and water extracts of Pulicaria dysenterica (L.) Bernh. The chemical profiles of the extracts were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS). The antioxidant properties and enzymes (lipase, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, tyrosinase and cholinesterases) inhibitory potential of the extracts were evaluated. RESULTS: The chemical profiles were dependent on the type of extraction methods as well as on the type of solvent. The methanolic extracts showed higher levels of total phenolic, flavonoid, and phenolic acid content, while the highest total flavonol content was observed in the HAE–water extract. Forty different compounds were identified from P. dysenterica. In relation to the potential in vitro anti-diabetic effects, the highest activity against the studied key enzymes was observed for the macerated extract (α-amylase: 0.58 ± 0.03 and α- glucosidase: 1.65 ± 0.03 mmol ACAE g−1). The HAE–methanol extract was the most potent inhibitor of cholisterases, whereas the highest activities against tyrosinase were observed for UAE–methanol extract, followed by macerated and Soxhlet. The inhibitory activity of the studied extracts against lipase were in the order: soxhlet > macerated> HAE–methanol > UAE–methanol. CONCLUSION: This study has established scientific baseline data on the therapeutic properties of P. dysentrica, thereby advocating the need for further investigations in an endeavour to develop novel pharmaceuticals from this plant. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.