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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Introduction: Anthemis nobilis L. (roman chamomille) is an autochthonous plant, very
common in North America and in Iberian Peninsula territory. The yellow flower buttons
of this plant are widely used in traditional medicine and thus, they are commonly found
in herbal stores.
Anthemis nobilis L. is used as a potential therapeutic agent for all body illnesses, in
particular for fever, inflammatory processes, skin infections and as a tranquilizer (1). In
accordance, the main goal of this work was the evaluation of A. nobilis therapeutic
potential, with focus on its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.
Methodology: Aqueous extracts of A. nobilis button flowers were prepared by
maceration with water at room temperature during 2 hours or by decoction. Both
extracts were analysed by electrospray mass spectrometry in the negative mode and
their phenolic content was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu method (2). Antioxidant
activity was evaluated through ABTS radical-scavenging activity (3),TBARS method
(4) and red blood cells haemolysis (5). Potential antibacterial action of the two extracts
was evaluated as the antibiogram potential, analyzing Staphyllococcus aureus and
Escherichia coli growth.
Results: The aqueous extracts (crude and decoccion) of A. nobilis button flowers
showed high antioxidant activity, as evaluated by ABTS, TBARS and haemolysis of red
blood cells assays. Moreover, this activity was higher for the decoction extract, in good
agreement with its greater phenolic content. As revealed by the mass spectrometry
analysis, the potent antioxidant ability of aqueous A. nobilis extracts can result from the
presence of quinic acid and caffeic acid derivatives. In opposition, the two aqueous
extracts of A. nobilis button flowers showed no inhibitory effect on the growth of S.
aureus and E. coli (common Gram+ and Gram- bacteria), thus indicating that this plant
is not is not suitable for the treatment of health problems associated to those
microorganisms.
Description
Keywords
Anthemis nobilis L. Antimicrobial activity Antioxidant effects
Citation
Pereira, Sara I.; Cardoso, Susana M.; Pereira, Olívia R.; Domingues, Maria R. M.; Ferreira, Fernanda M. (2011). Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of aqueous extracts of Anthemis nobilis. In Conferência Centro de Estudos Farmacêuticos. Coimbra
Publisher
Centro de Estudos Farmacêuticos