Bioactivities and phenolic composition of Limonium boitardii Maire and L. cercinense Brullo & Erben (Plumbaginaceae): two Tunisian strict endemic plants

Limonium genus is traditionally used in North Africa for disease treatment and in cosmetic. This study investigates for the first time the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and enzyme inhibitory activities of two Tunisian endemic plants, L. boitardii and L. cercinense. Analysis of phenolic compounds was carried out by using RP-HPLC. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity (antiradical, reducing and total antioxidant activities), tyrosinase and alpha-glucosidase, collagenase inhibition activities were determined. Inhibiting of NO release in LPS-stimulated macrophages was assessed. L. cercinense exhibited strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In the tyrosinase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitor activity tests, the two species were highly active, especially L. cercinense. High total phenolic and flavonoid contents were recorded in L. cercinense and myricitrin, myricetin, myricetin 3-O-beta-D-galatopyranoside, luteolin 7-O-glucoside and rutin were the main phenolics in both species. The results obtained render L. boitardii and L. cercinense as valuable new natural sources for cosmetic and pharmacological applications.

Automated summary

This study investigated for the first time the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and enzyme inhibitory activities of the Tunisian endemic plants L. boitardii and L. cercinense. The results showed that L. cercinense exhibited strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, with both species showing high activity in tyrosinase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition tests, particularly L. cercinense. These two plants are valuable new natural sources for cosmetic and pharmacological applications.