Richness of extremophile plants in phenolics with interesting biological activities

Extremophile plants are remarkable plants that tolerate severe environmental constraints which may trigger in plants an oxidative stress Able to overcome oxidative stress, these species have developed potent antioxidant systems. Among them, polyphenols constitute the main powerful compounds, owing to their strong biological activity. Therefore, the need exits for safe, natural antioxidants to replace synthetic ones. In this context, Tunisian extremophile species known for their ethno-pharmacological uses was making them good candidates for industrial application. This study aimed to investigate antioxidant activities, to estimate the antimicrobial capacities, to examine anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities, to identify phenolics, and to valorize extremophile plants in industry. Results showed that some halophytes (Tamarix gallica L. and Limoniastrum monopetalum Boiss.) exhibit 3 to 4-folds higher phenolics as compared to glycophyte medicinal plants (Mentha pulegium). Moreover, these species displayed an important antiradical activity, and β-carotene bleaching, and lipid peroxidation inhibition. In addition, halophyte extracts (Tamarix gallica) showed appreciable antibacterial properties against Human pathogen strains, and against Botrytis cinerea and have an interesting anti-amyloïdogenic activity, and have a cell renal protective effect against herpes simplex virus type 1. In addition, these tolerant plants (Suaeda fruticosa Forssk. ex J. F. Gmelin) showed an interesting in vivo antioxidant activity in fibroblast cell, anti-inflammatory ability in (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage and an anticancer power against carcinoma cell lines. Indeed, for the contribution of these halophytes in the field of cosmetics, cell suspensions culture in bioreactors for the production of cells enriched in phenolic as active principle in cosmetic formulation was made.

Acknowledgement: This work was supported by the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (LR10CBBC02).