Bioactive extracts from Cistus ladanifer and Arbutus unedo L.

The ethanol and acetone/water extracts of Cistus ladanifer and Arbutus unedo L. were characterised concerning the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, presenting relatively high values when compared with other species described in the literature. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method in terms of EC50, using trolox as standard reference. The extracts of both species showed scavenging activity for the DPPH radical. Extracts bioactivities were also tested by the evaluation of the viability effects on human fibroblasts primary culture cells. Viability studies were performed by MTT method. Both extracts are bioactive; C ladanifer extracts were associated with an inhibitory effect and A. unedo L. were associated with an induced effect on cells viability. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.