Epilobium species are used in Romanian folk medicine as tinctures, tea, or tablets for ameliorating the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), but scientific-based evidence is scarce for this species or other endemic plants of the same genus. Therefore, the aims of this research were to evaluate the phytochemical profile of five endemic Epilobium species (E. hirsutum L., E. parviflorum Schreb., E. palustre L. E. dodonaei Vill., and E. angustifolium L.) and to assess their in vitro biological activity. For enhanced recovery of polyphenols, a D-optimal experimental plan was developed using Modde software and the optimal working conditions were ultra-turrax-assisted extraction, for 8 min, with 30% ethanol in water. The optimized extracts were obtained from various plant parts and were further characterized by LC-MS analysis, with the major compound being oenothein B. All extracts demonstrated good antioxidant activity, evaluated by DPPH and TEAC assays. The most prominent antimicrobial potency of optimized extracts was displayed against Bacillus cereus, while against Gram-(+) bacteria, a moderate efficacy was observed. Furthermore, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant potential were assessed on normal fibroblasts and prostate carcinoma cell lines. From the evaluated optimized extracts, E. angustifolium aerial parts had the highest selectivity toward killing cancerous cells, followed by E. hirsutum aerial parts extract. For the antioxidant effect, E. hirsutum leaves and E. hirstum aerial parts extracts displayed the highest potency, decreasing ROS at the level observed for the positive control. The highest anti-inflammatory potential, based on the IL-6 and IL-8 levels, was displayed by E. dodonaei aerial parts and E. angustifolium leaves extracts. In conclusion, all five endemic species of Epilobium harvested from Romanian flora possess a diverse phytochemical composition, which supports complex biological activities.

Fumaria schleicheri Soy. Will. is a species belonging to the Papaveraceae family, being widespread in East-Central and Southern Europe. As with numerous other species of the genus, it is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of hepatobiliary and digestive disorders. The aim of the present study consisted of the evaluation of its alkaloid content and the assessment of its in vitro antioxidant, anti-cholinesterase and cytotoxic potential. Total alkaloid content in the composition of the species was quantified by a spectrophotometrical method and they were individually identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD. The antioxidant capacity was investigated by the DPPH and FRAP methods, while the anti-cholinesterase activity was assessed by an adapted Ellman’s method. The in vitro cytotoxic activity was evaluated on BJ human fibroblasts and DLD-1 human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines. Results showed the presence of bicuculline, protopine, chelidonine, stylopine and sanguinarine, among which bicuculline, protopine, stylopine and sanguinarine were quantified, while the antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase assays showed valuable potentials. No cytotoxic effect was observed on BJ cell lines and selective cytotoxicity was expressed towards tumoral cells. In this context, F. schleicheri appears as an important medicinal species with significant potential of substitution with the officinal species.

Hypericum perforatum L., also known as St. John’s Wort, is recognized worldwide as a valuable medicinal herb; however, other Hypericum species were intensively studied for their bioactive potential. To fill the research gap that exists in the scientific literature, a comparative evaluation between H. alpigenum Kit., H. perforatum L. and H. rochelii Griseb. & Schenk was conducted in the present study. Two types of herbal preparations obtained from the aerial parts of these species were analyzed: extracts obtained through maceration and extracts obtained through magnetic-stirring-assisted extraction. LC-DAD-ESI-MSⁿ analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols and flavonoid derivatives as the main constituents of the above-mentioned species. Moreover, all extracts were tested for their antioxidant, enzyme-inhibitory and antimicrobial potential. Our work emphasizes for the first time a detailed description of H. rochelii phenolic fractions, including their phytochemical and bioactive characterization. In comparison with the other two studied species, H. rochelii was found as a rich source of phenolic acids and myricetin derivatives, showing important antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antibacterial activity. The study offers new perspectives regarding the chemical and bioactive profile of the less-studied species H. alpigenum and H. rochelii.

Solidago virgaurea L. is a perennial plant used in European traditional medicine as a diuretic or a remedy for inflammatory conditions of the urinary tract but also for gout, especially in the Balkans. The present study was focused on a preclinical, in vivo evaluation of antihyperuricemic, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive effects of a dry extract from S. virgaurea L. (ESV). Colorimetric and HPLC–MS techniques were used to identify the main chemical constituents of ESV. Antihyperuricemic effect of ESV was assessed in a rat model of hyperuricemia induced by the administration of potassium oxonate. Antihypertensive effect of ESV was evaluated in hyperuricemic rats by monitoring systolic blood pressure with a non-invasive blood-pressure recording system. The anti-inflammatory effect of ESV was tested using a rat model of paw edema. The main chemical constituents of ESV were rutin and phenolic acids represented by chlorogenic and caffeic acid. ESV demonstrated significant antihyperuricemic effects in rats due to an uricosuric mechanism. Additionally, ESV reduced the progression of arterial hypertension in hyperuricemic rats and also showed anti-inflammatory properties slightly inferior to diclofenac. The results suggest that ESV could be a natural remedy for the treatment of gout and protection against endothelial dysfunction caused by hyperuricemia.

This study aimed to investigate the biotransformation capabilities of a hydroquinone-tolerant Digitalis purpurea cell line (DpHQ) for bioconverting hydroquinone (HQ) into arbutin, a compound with significant therapeutic and cosmetic applications. The research evaluated the influence of various HQ concentrations, feeding protocols, and carbon sources on arbutin bioconversion yield. By using HPLC-MS for the quantification of arbutin in biomass and medium, the study revealed that higher precursor (HQ) concentration led to a more pronounced growth inhibition under single dosing than sequential dosing. At lower sugar (3%) and precursor (4 mM HQ) levels, arbutin predominantly remained within the cells, whereas higher sugar (6%) and HQ (5–6 mM) levels promoted its release into the medium. Arbutin production ranged from 591 mg/L under single dosing to 3049 mg/L with sequential dosing, with the highest yield being achieved with 5 mM HQ in divided doses and 6% glucose. This study holds novelty for being the first to demonstrate the DpHQ’s tolerance to high concentrations of HQ and its efficient capabilities to bioconvert HQ to arbutin, indicating that D. purpurea is equipped with the enzymes required for this process. These aspects highlight its potential as a biotechnological source for arbutin synthesis.