Chemical characterization and biological activities of Tessaria absinthiodes (Hook. & Arn.) dc. (Asteraceae) decoction

Abstract

The decoction of Tessaria absinthioides is used in traditional medicine of South America as a hypocholesterolemic, balsamic, and expectorant, it is also useful for the prevention of hepatitis, renal insufficiency, diabetes and used as digestive. A lyophilized decoction from the aerial parts of this plant collected in San Juan (TLDSJ) and Mendoza (TLDM) provinces (Argentine) and one collection from Antofagasta, Chile (TLDCH), were evaluated regarding antioxidant activities, phenolics and flavonoids content and UHPLC-MS metabolome fingerprinting which revealed the presence of several small bioactive compounds. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by free radical scavenging methods (DPPH and TEAC), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and lipoperoxidation in erythrocytes (LP). The antibacterial activity was evaluated according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. TLDSJ, TLDSJ and TLDCH displayed a strong DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 = 42, 41.6 and 43 µg/mL respectively) and inhibition of lipoperoxidation in erythrocytes (86-88 % at 250 µgTLD/mL), while a less effect in the FRAP and ABTS antioxidant assays were found. Additionally, the decoctions showed a content of phenolics compounds of 94 mg GAE/g, 185 GAE/g and 64 GAE/g, for TLDSJ, TLDM TLDCH samples respectively. Regarding the flavonoid content, the Chilean sample was highlighted with 19 mg QE/g. In this work thirty phenolics compounds including sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, and phenolics acids were rapidly identified in TLDSJ, TLDM and TLDCH decoctions by means of ultrahigh resolution liquidchromatography orbitrap MS analysis (UHPLC-PDAOT-MS) for the first time, which support that the medicinal decoction from both countries is a valuable natural product with antioxidant effects and with potential to improve human health. Additionally, this research opens a pathway for the development of important phytomedicine products.