Wild Vitex agnus-castus L.: Phytochemical Characterization, Acute Toxicity, and Bioactive Properties.

Wild Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) is a Mediterranean plant that is rich in bioactive metabolites. This study aimed to validate, for the first time, the beneficial use of VAC fruits and fruit decoctions (VFDs) through in vitro and in vivo trials. Forty-one volatile components were detected in VAC fruits, with 1,8-cineole (30.3%) comprising the majority. The antioxidant activity of VFD was measured by using different in vitro methods (EC50 of 0.16 mg/mL by ß-carotene bleaching inhibition assay) and by measuring the DNA protection power. Using the disc diffusion assay, the antimicrobial activity of VFD was evaluated, and it exhibited a noticeable anticandidal activity. VFD did not cause any toxicity or mortality in rats treated with doses > 200 mg/kg. Using the acetic acid writhing test, the antinociceptive activity of VFD was measured. Our results showed that VFD at 200 mg/kg exhibited a higher analgesic activity (81.68%) than acetylsalicylic acid used as a positive control (74.35%). Its gastroprotective ability was assessed by HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions, which were remarkably inhibited (84.62%) by intraperitoneal administration of VFD. This work helps to validate the popular use of VAC to treat nociceptive, inflammatory, and gastric disorders and encourages researchers to further investigate the identification of pharmacological compounds from this species.

Nutritional properties, identification of phenolic compounds, and enzyme inhibitory activities of Feijoa sellowiana leaves.

The nutritional values, the identification of individual phenolic compounds as well as the functional properties (in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and pancreatic lipase inhibition) of Tunisian Feijoa sellowiana (O.Berg) leaves were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array and mass spectrometry detector. Feijoa Sellowiana  leaves Extract (FSLE) were evaluated in the present work. Macronutrient components (proteins, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, lipids, and ashes) of FSLE as well as their fatty acids and mineral content were determined. The individual phenolic composition was characterized by the presence of flavonols (mostly quercetin glycosides), flavan-3-ols (procyanidins and catechins), and phenolic acid derivatives. To understand the possible inhibition mechanism exerted by the extract components, enzyme kinetic studies using derived Lineweaver-Burk (LB) plots and Michaelis-Menten were performed. The obtained results evidenced that FSLE exhibited important AChE inhibitory effect, behaving as a noncompetitive inhibitor. Furthermore, the leaves' extract inhibited irreversibly the pancreatic lipase, with maximum inhibition (70%) achieved at 1 mg/ml. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In many countries of the world, Feijoa Sellowiana leaves are used as an alternative to tea drinks and as a folkloric medicine. Moreover, it is well known that the phytochemical compounds are a practical alternative for the prevention of many chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's and obesity. For this reason, the present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional, individual phenolic compounds, and functional properties of Feijoa Sellowiana leaves to valorize them as a food and pharmaceutical bioactive human source.