Kniphofia schimperi is one of the endemic plants of Ethiopia and is widely used for the treatment of microbial infections. However, the biological and phytochemical information pertaining to this plant has not been reported so far. Anticipated by these claims, the chromatographic isolation of the CHCl3/CH3OH (1:1 v/v) extract of the roots of K. schimperi afforded five compounds, viz., knipholone (1), asphodeline (2), β-sitosterol (3), 9-pentacosenoic acid (4), and nonacosanoic acid (5). The structures of the isolated compounds were identified based on their NMR (1D and 2D) spectral data analysis and comparison with reported literature data. The crude extract and isolated compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against four bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus) and a fungal strain (Candida albicans) using the agar disk diffusion method. The test samples showed moderate antimicrobial activity, with the highest activity observed for compound 3 (with a zone of growth inhibition of 15.5 ± 0.71 mm) against S. typhimurium.

The current study was carried out to evaluate multicomponent pattern, biological and enzymatic activities of seven Asphodeline taxa root extracts as useful ingredients, due to the fact that these plants are commonly used as traditional food supplements in Turkish regions. The extracts were characterized for free anthraquinones and phenolics to obtain a specific chemical fingerprint useful for quality control. These analyzes were coupled to biological and enzymatic activities in order to obtain comprehensive information of the natural product. Free anthraquinones and phenolics were determined using validated HPLC-PDA methods. Antioxidant properties were determined by different procedures including free radical scavenging, reducing power, phosphomolybdenum and metal chelating assays. Ames assay was performed to evaluate mutagenic/antimutagenic properties. Enzyme inhibitory activities were tested against cholinesterase, tyrosinase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase. From the herein reported results, Asphodeline could be valuable for the production of bioactive products or food supplements for cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Plant-based foods have become attractive for scientists and food producers. Beneficial effects related to their consumption as dietary supplements are due to the presence of natural occurring secondary metabolites. In this context, studies on these products are important for natural and safely food ingredients evaluation. The aim of this study was to evaluate root extract of eight Asphodeline species as antioxidants, enzyme inhibitors and phytochemical content. Spectrophotometric antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory assays were performed. Total phenolic and flavonoids contents as well as the chemical free-anthraquinones profiles were determined using routinely procedure (HPLC-PDA). Data show that Asphodeline roots can be considered as a new source of natural compounds and can be used as a valuable dietary supplement. Some differences related to biological activities can be inferred to other phytochemicals that can be considered in the future for their synergic or competitive activities.

BACKGROUND: The genus Asphodeline (Liliaceae) is represented in Turkey by 20 taxa, which are traditionally used for medicinal purposes in Anatolia.
METHODS: In this study, we tested the phytochemical content and antioxidant effect of different solvent extracts obtained from different anatomical parts of Asphodeline anatolica. The different extracts of each plant parts were tested for antioxidant activity using different chemical assays. The total antioxidant components were also calculated.
RESULTS: Generally, acetone extracts produced the seed and root exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity with high antioxidant components. Total phenolic content of extracts were significantly correlated with antioxidant potentials (except for, metal chelating activity).
CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the results obtained, A. anatolica extracts should be regarded as a valuable source of natural antioxidants for food and therapeutic applications.