Pedoclimatic Conditions Influence the Morphological, Phytochemical and Biological Features of <i>Mentha pulegium</i> L.
Laura Cornara,
Federica Sgrò,
Francesco Maria Raimondo,
Mariarosaria Ingegneri,
Luca Mastracci,
Valeria D’Angelo,
Maria Paola Germanò,
Domenico Trombetta,
Antonella Smeriglio
Affiliations
Laura Cornara
Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genova, C.so Europa 26, 16132 Genova, Italy
Federica Sgrò
Foundation Prof. Antonio Imbesi, University of Messina, Piazza Pugliatti 1, 98122 Messina, Italy
Francesco Maria Raimondo
PLANTA/Autonomous Center for Research, Documentation and Training, Via Serraglio Vecchio 28, 90123 Palermo, Italy
Mariarosaria Ingegneri
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
Luca Mastracci
Pathology Unit, Department of Surgical and Diagnostic Sciences (DISC), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
Valeria D’Angelo
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
Maria Paola Germanò
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
Domenico Trombetta
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
Antonella Smeriglio
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
In this study, Mentha pulegium leaves and flowers harvested in three different Sicilian areas were investigated from a micromorphological, phytochemical and biological point of view. Light and scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of spherocrystalline masses of diosmin both in the leaf epidermal cells and in thin flower petals. Two different chemotypes were identified (I, kaempferide/rosmarinic acid; II, jaceidin isomer A). Phytochemical screening identified plant from collection site II as the richest in total phenolics (16.74 g GAE/100 g DE) and that from collection site I as the richest in flavonoids (46.56 g RE/100 g DE). Seventy-seven metabolites were identified both in flower and leaf extracts. Plant from site II showed the best antioxidant (0.90–83.72 µg/mL) and anti-inflammatory (27.44–196.31 µg/mL) activity expressed as half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) evaluated by DPPH, TEAC, FRAP, ORAC, BSA denaturation and protease inhibition assays. These data were also corroborated by in vitro cell-based assays on lymphocytes and erythrocytes. Moreover, plant of site II showed the best antiangiogenic properties (IC50 33.43–33.60 µg/mL) in vivo on a chick chorioallantoic membrane. In conclusion, pedoclimatic conditions influence the chemotype and the biological activity of M. pulegium, with chemotype I showing the most promising biological properties.
