| Mints (Mentha species) are widely used as food, medicine, spice, and flavoring
agents. At the present work, phenolics profile of infusion and ethanol extract of
Mentha longifolia was determined using an RP–HPLC–DAD system. Total
bioactive contents, radical scavenging, reducing power, metal chelating, and
enzyme inhibitory activities relevant to Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes mellitus,
and skin disorders were evaluated. Sixteen phenolic compounds (ten phenolic
acids and six flavonoids) were identified in the extracts in which sinapic acid
(7132 µg/g extract) and rosmarinic acid (6260 µg/g extract) were the most
abundant compounds. Strong antioxidant effects were observed in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, 2,2ʹ-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic
acid), cupric ion reducing activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelating assays. Results indicated selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity and high α-amylase and α-glucosidase
inhibitory potential. Findings showed that M. longifolia has promising health
benefits due to its high concentration of useful phenolic compounds and has
great potential for possible applications in the preparation of functional
ingredients. |