Extracts from physalis leaves (Physalis peruviana L.) for prospective application in medicine and cosmetics

Abstract

Introduction. The aim of research is to characterize the chemical composition of physalis leaves and the obtaining of extracts rich in bioactive compounds intended for medical and cosmetic applications. Materials and methods. Extraction of dried physalis leaves was carried out under the following conditions: hydromodule - 1:10 (w/v), solvents - 95, 70, 50 and 30 vol.% ethanol, temperature - 20, 40and 60°C, and duration - 1, 3 and 5 h. The content of polyphenols, flavonoids and triterpenes in the leaves and in the obtained extracts was determined by HPLC. Results and discussion. The analyzed physalis leaves from variety Plovdiv and from the bio-farm were with 8.32% and 8.79% moisture, respectively. The plant materials contained 9.62% and 10.58% tannins, respectively. Extract color varied by solvent concentration: yellow-orange (with 30% ethanol), yellow-brown (50% ethanol), green-brown (70% ethanol), and brown (95% ethanol). The experimental data and the derived equations showed that the two main factors - temperature and duration, had a strong influence on the content of extracted tannins. The optimal conditions of the process were: 5-hour extraction at a temperature of 60°C, with 30 and 50% ethanol for the leaves from Plovdiv genotype, and with 50 and 70% ethanol - for the bio-farm genotype. Twelve phenolic acids were identified in the leaves and extracts from Plovdiv genotype and 10 - in those from the bio-farm genotype. Rutin was the dominant flavonoid in the leaves and extracts from both genotypes. The major triterpene in the leaves and in the extracts was oleanolic acid, followed by betulin. The extracts from physalis leaves are rich in bioactive substances (phenolic acids, flavonoids and triterpenes), and have the prospective for possible application in medicinal and cosmetic products. Conclusions. This study provides for the first time data about the optimal conditions for the extraction of Physalis peruviana leaves, as well as information about the content of certain biologically active components in the leaves and in the obtained extracts. These are the first results reported about physalis genotypes grown in Bulgaria.