Molecules, Vol. 27, Pages 2247: Variation in Population and Solvents as Factors Determining the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Potential of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. Leaf Extracts

The objective of this study was to characterize the variability of the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of water and ethanol bearberry extracts from raw material collected from different natural populations. In each of the twelve A. uva-ursi sites, three leaf samples were collected and analyzed. The water extracts from bearberry leaves were characterized by similar concentration of arbutin (77.64–105.56 mg g−1) and a significantly higher concentration of hydroquinone (6.96–13.08 mg g−1) and corilagin (0.83–2.12 mg g−1) in comparison with the ethanol extracts −77.21–103.38 mg g−1, 10.55–16.72 mg g−1, 0.20–1.54 mg g−1, respectively. The concentration of other metabolites in the water extracts was significantly lower in comparison with the ethanol extracts. In the case of the water extracts, a significant effect of not only total phenolic compounds, but also hydroquinone on the antioxidant parameters, was observed, which indicates the solvent-related activity of these metabolites. Therefore, it is suggested that special attention should be paid to the concentration of not only arbutin, but also hydroquinone in Uvae ursi folium. The latter metabolite serving a very important function as an active bearberry ingredient should be controlled not only in alcoholic extracts but also in wat...
Source: Molecules - Category: Chemistry Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research