Seasonal Effect on the Biological Activities of <i>Litsea glaucescens</i> Kunth Extracts

Abstract

This study shows the seasonal effect on the antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antimicrobial activities of <i>L. glaucescens</i> Kunth (LG) leaves extracts. Their antioxidant activity was evaluated through the DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC assays. Their phenolic content (PC) was determined by means of the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and the main phenolic compounds were identified through a HPLC-DAD analysis. Antiproliferative activity was determined by MTT assay against HeLa, LS 180, M12.C3.F6, and ARPE cell lines. Antimicrobial potential was evaluated against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> using a microdilution method. All the LG extracts presented high antioxidant activity and PC, with quercitrin and epicatechin being the most abundant. Antioxidant activity and PC were affected by the season; particularly autumn (ALGE) and summer (SULGE) extracts exhibited the highest values (<i>p</i> < 0.05). All extracts presented moderate antiproliferative activity against the cell lines evaluated, HeLa being the most susceptible of them. However, ALGE and SULGE were the most active too. About antimicrobial activity, SULGE (MIC₉₀ < 800 <i>μ</i>g/mL; MIC₅₀ < 400 <i>μ</i>g/mL), and SLGE (MIC₅₀ < 1000 <i>μ</i>g/mL) showed a moderate inhibitory effect against <i>S. aureus</i>. These findings provide new information about the seasonal effect on the PC and biological properties of LG extracts. Clearly, antioxidant activity was the most important with respect to the other two.