From Tradition to Health: Chemical and Bioactive Characterization of Five Traditional Plants

Several scientific studies have been proving the bioactive effects of many aromatic and medicinal plants associated with the presence of a high number of bioactive compounds, namely phenolic compounds. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial capacities of these molecules have aroused high interest in some industrial sectors, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. This work aimed to determine the phenolic profiles of the infusions and hydroethanolic extracts of five plants (, , , , and ) that have been employed in many traditional preparations. In addition, the antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumoral activity of each different preparation was evaluated using in vitro assays. The HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS profile revealed the presence of eighty phenolic compounds, belonging to seven different families of compounds. Regarding antioxidant properties, the hydroethanolic extract of showed a potent effect in the TBARS assay (IC = 1.20 µg/mL), while hydroethanolic extract achieved better results in the OxHLIA test (IC = 76 µg/mL). For cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory results, infusions stood out significantly, with GI = 59.1-92.1 µg/mL and IC = 121.1 µg/mL, respectively. Finally, hydroethanolic extract displayed the most relevant antibacterial activity, showing MBC values of 0.25-1 mg/mL, while hydroethanolic extract exerted the greatest antifungal effects (MFC of 0.5-1 mg/mL). The results of this study deepen the knowledge of the phenolic profiles and also provide evidence on the bioactive properties of the species selected, which could be considered highly valuable options for research and application in several sectors, namely food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.