A new source for developing multi-functional products: biological and chemical perspectives on subcritical water extracts of Sambucus ebulus L

BACKGROUND To obtain bioactive fractions from plant material subcritical water is notably advantageous in comparison to any other technique. Excellent solvating properties and selectivity combined with finely tuned reactivity of subcritical water enable exploitation of the potential of plants. Herein subcritical water extraction was used for recovery of bioactive compounds from leaves, roots and fruits of Sambucus ebulus L. Extracts obtained were characterized in terms of biological and chemical fingerprints. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Results obtained by using several antioxidant assays that focused on different mechanisms showed that subcritical water extracts of Sambucus ebulus were powerful antioxidants. Enzyme inhibitory effects were tested against α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase and tyrosinase, and the results showed the anti‐diabetic potential of the extracts as well as its possible use with skin disorders. Antiproliferative properties were detected on three cell lines (A‐549; LS‐174 T; HeLa) and showed prominent cytotoxicity against all tumor cell lines. Inhibitory concentrations obtained were in the range 0.58–8.10 μg mL‐1. Generally, the SCW extracts from leaves exhibited stronger biological activities with higher levels of phenolic compounds compared with the roots and fruits of Sambucus ebulus. Gallic acid, catechin and caffeic acid were identified as major components in these extracts and these components seem to relate with observed biological activity. CONCLUSION The results obtained suggest that Sambucus ebulus has great potential for preparing new phyto‐pharmaceuticals and functional food ingredients. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industryhe present work is part of the research conducted within the bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and Portuguese Republic (Project No. 451‐03‐01765/2014‐09/28) and within the projects of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, (Projects No. TR31013, III43009 and 175011). Manuela M. Moreira (SFRH/BPD/97049/2013) is grateful for the postdoctoral fellowships financed by POPH‐QREN – Tipologia 4.1 – Formação Avançada, subsidized by Fundo Social Europeu and Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior. The authors are also grateful for the financial support from FCT/MEC through national funds and co‐financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020 through the project UID/ QUI/50006/2013 ‐ POCI/01/0145/FERDER/007265.