Sustainable Extraction Techniques for Obtaining Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Compounds from the Lamiaceae and Asteraceae Species

Abstract

<i>Melissa officinalis</i> L. and <i>Origanum majorana</i> L., within Lamiaceae family, and <i>Calendula officinalis</i> L. and <i>Achillea millefolium</i> L., within the Asteraceae, have been considered a good source of bioactive ingredients with health benefits. In this study, the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using pure CO₂, and the ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) were proposed as green techniques to obtain plant-based extracts with potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Higher values of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were achieved in UAE ethanol:water (50:50, <i>v/v</i>) extracts. Meanwhile, UAE pure ethanol extracts showed greater anti-inflammatory activity. RP-HPLC-PAD-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis showed a vast number of phenolic compounds in the extracts, including unreported ones. <i>O. majorana</i> ethanol:water extract presented the highest content of phenolics and antioxidant activity; among its composition, both rosmarinic acid and luteolin glucoside derivatives were abundant. The pure ethanol extract of <i>A. millefolium</i> resulted in an important content of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, luteolin-7-<i>O</i>-glucoside and flavonoid aglycones, which could be related to the remarkable inhibition of TNF-α, IL-1<i>β</i> and IL-6 cytokines. Besides, borneol and camphor, found in the volatile fraction of <i>A. millefolium</i>, could contributed to this latter activity. Thus, this study points out that <i>O. majorana</i> and <i>A. millefolium</i> are considered a promising source of bioactive ingredients with potential use in health promotion.