Chemical Characterization of Sambucus nigra L. Flowers Aqueous Extract and Its Biological Implications

The main goal of this study was to chemically characterize an aqueous S. nigra flower extract and validate it as a bioactive agent. The elderflower aqueous extraction was performed at different temperatures (50, 70 and 90 degrees C). The extract obtained at 90 degrees C exhibited the highest phenolic content and antiradical activity. Therefore, this extract was analyzed by GC-MS and HPLC-MS, which allowed the identification of 46 compounds, being quercetin and chlorogenic acid derivatives representative of 86% of the total of phenolic compounds identified in hydrophilic fraction of the aqueous extract. Naringenin (27.2%) was the major compound present in the lipophilic fraction. The antiproliferative effects of the S. nigra extract were evaluated using the colon cancer cell lines RKO, HCT-116, Caco-2 and the extract's antigenotoxic potential was evaluated by the Comet assay in RKO cells. The RKO cells were the most susceptible to S. nigra flower extract (IC50 = 1250 mu g mL(-1)). Moreover, the extract showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis. These results show that S. nigra based extracts can be an important dietary source of bioactive phenolic compounds that contribute to health-span improving life quality, demonstrating their potential as nutraceutical, functional foods and/or cosmetic components for therapeutic purposes.

Automated summary

This study aimed to chemically characterize an aqueous S. nigra flower extract and validate it as a bioactive agent. The extract obtained at 90 degrees C showed the highest phenolic content and antiradical activity, with quercetin and chlorogenic acid derivatives representing 86% of the total phenolic compounds identified. Evaluation on colon cancer cell lines demonstrated the extract's potential antiproliferative effects. Antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis, was also observed. These results suggest that S. nigra extracts can be a valuable source of bioactive phenolic compounds for various applications in health and wellness.