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. 2024 May 9;29(10):2222.
doi: 10.3390/molecules29102222.

Labdanum Resin from Cistus ladanifer L. as a Source of Compounds with Anti-Diabetic, Neuroprotective and Anti-Proliferative Activity

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Labdanum Resin from Cistus ladanifer L. as a Source of Compounds with Anti-Diabetic, Neuroprotective and Anti-Proliferative Activity

David F Frazão et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Labdanum resin or "gum" can be obtained from Cistus ladanifer L. by two different extraction methods: the Zamorean and the Andalusian processes. Although its main use is in the fragrance and perfumery sectors, ethnobotanical reports describe its use for medicinal purposes in managing hyperglycemia and mental illnesses. However, data concerning the bioactivities and pharmacological applications are scarce. In this work, it was found that the yield of labdanum resin extracted by the Andalusian process was 25-fold higher than the Zamorean one. Both resins were purified as absolutes, and the Andalusian absolute was purified into diterpenoid and flavonoid fractions. GC-EI-MS analysis confirmed the presence of phenylpropanoids, labdane-type diterpenoids, and methylated flavonoids, which are already described in the literature, but revealed other compounds, and showed that the different extracts presented distinct chemical profile. The potential antidiabetic activity, by inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and the potential neuroprotective activity, by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, were investigated. Diterpenoid fraction produced the higher α-amylase inhibitory effect (~30% and ~40% at 0.5 and 1 mg/mL, respectively). Zamorean absolute showed the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory effect (~14% and ~24%, at 0.5 and 1 mg/mL, respectively). Andalusian absolute showed the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect (~70% and ~75%, at 0.5 and 1 mg/mL, respectively). Using Caco-2 and HepG2 cell lines, Andalusian absolute and its purified fractions showed moderate cytotoxic/anti-proliferative activity at 24 h exposure (IC50 = 45-70 µg/mL, for Caco-2; IC50 = 60-80 µg/mL, for HepG2), whereas Zamorean absolute did not produce cytotoxicity (IC50 ≥ 200.00 µg/mL). Here we show, for the first time, that labdanum resin obtained by the Andalusian process, and its fractions, are composed of phytochemicals with anti-diabetic, neuroprotective and anti-proliferative potential, which are worth investigating for the pharmaceutical industry. However, toxic side-effects must also be addressed when using these products by ingestion, as done traditionally.

Keywords: acetylcholinesterase; cytotoxic activity; labdane-type diterpenoids; labdanum resin; methylated flavonoids; α-amylase; α-glucosidase.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The effect of labdanum resin extracted by the Andalusian process (Adl), its purified flavonoid (Flv) and diterpenoid extracts (Dit), and labdanum resin extracted by the Zamorean process (Zam) on Human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) and Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells viability (% of control) after 24 and 48 h incubation (3 independent experiments of n = 4 each). * means statistical differences in relation to the control by the post hoc Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). # means statistical differences between incubation times by the post hoc Tukey’s test (α = 0.05).

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