Madeira moneywort (<i>Sibthorpia peregrina</i> L<i>.</i>) as a new source of verbascoside and its derivatives with potential phyto-pharmaceutical applications

<p>The qualitative and quantitative characterization of Madeira moneywort (<i>Sibthorpia peregrina</i> L.) compounds was investigated for the first time. The antioxidant activity and the effect of the methanolic extract on digestive enzymes activity linked to type-2 diabetes and obesity were also determined by <i>in vitro</i> assays. A total of 56 components were characterized in <i>S. peregrina</i>. Phenylethanoids glycosides (PhEGs) represented the main classes of compounds (95.23 mg g⁻¹ of dry extract), almost all verbascoside and its derivatives (up to 98.85% of the total individual phenolic content). The analysed sample was active against ABTS, DPPH, nitric oxide and superoxide radicals, suggesting a potential beneficial effect against oxidative stress. In addition, the methanolic extract was able to inhibit the catalytic activity of α-, β-glucosidases, α-amylase and pancreatic lipase. Overall, <i>S. peregrina</i> showed good perspectives to be explored as a rich source of verbascoside and its derivatives for nutraceutical/pharmaceutical products.