Leaves and decoction of Juglans regia L.: Different performances regarding bioactive compounds and in vitro antioxidant and antitumor effects

Juglans regia L. (walnut) leaves are considered a source of healthcare compounds, and have been widely used in traditional medicine. Furthermore, they have been reported as a source of bioactive molecules such as the antioxidant phenolic compounds. In the present study, organic acids, mono and oligosaccharides, and tocopherols were analyzed in leaves and decoction (widely used for topical applications). Furthermore, the phenolic composition and bioactivity of walnut leaves was determined in its decoction and methanol extract. Malic acid, sucrose, alpha-tocopherol and 3-O-caffeoylquinic acids and quercetin O-pentoside were the most abundant organic acid, disaccharide, tocopherol isomer and phenolic compounds, respectively. Methanol extract presented higher antioxidant and antitumor potential than decoction; both samples did not show toxicity for non-tumor liver primary cells. This study provides a more complete characterization of phenolic compounds of walnut leaves, and as far as we know, this is the first time that the presence of procyanidins and taxifolin derivatives, as also tocopherols were reported in J. regia leaves. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.