Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Cistus Ladanifer

Abstract

Different parts of Cistus species are traditionally used in folk medicine as a remedy for several microbial disorders and infections. At the beginning of the study, crude extract of the Cistus leaves was obtained to determine its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Then volatile compounds were extracted using hydrodistillation and hexane. The Cistus oil was obtained by hydrodistillation of fresh material, using leaves in an altered Clevenger-type device. Aqueous extract of Cistus leaves was neutralized to precipitate gums. The yield of gum was determined as 1%. Resinoid was obtained after ethanol extraction of gum. Antibacterial activities of extract were determined using disc diffusion and micro-dilution assays against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The extract of Cistus leaves tested and exhibited antibacterial activities by inhibiting one or more microorganisms. The tested plant extract was more active against gram-positive bacteria compared with gram-negative bacteria. Total phenol content of the extract was determined with Folin-ciocalteu method. Total phenolic content of Cistus extract was 520 ± 15 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/ g extract. The water soluble (ACW) and lipid soluble (ACL) antioxidant capacities of the extract were also determined. ACW and ACL antioxidant capacities of Cistus extract were found as 650±80 μg Ascorbic acid/ mg extract and 540 ±30 μg Trolox Equivalent/ mg extract, respectively. In this study, there is a clear relationship between the total antioxidant and phenol content analysis results and antibacterial activities. Hereby, bioactive natural compounds present in Cistus species can be used as natural raw material in some related industrial applications.

Keywords

• cistus genus
• antibacterial activity
• antioxidant capacity
• labdanum