Phenolic composition and biological activities of Juniperus drupacea Labill. berries from Turkey

The present study was designed to define the phenolic profile and the biological potential of berries methanol extract of Juniperus drupacea Labill. from Turkey. The total phenolic content (Folin–Ciocalteau assay) was 48.06 ± 0.99 mg GAE/g extract. The HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis allowed the determination of the complete phenolic profile of J. drupacea berries. Phenolic acids represented more than 60% of the total phenolics, and tyrosol was the major one (1324 ± 0.64 ug/g extract); within the flavonoids amentoflavone was detected as the main constituent (927 ± 0.35 ug/g extract). The extract exhibited good antioxidant properties, as determined by different in vitro models: DPPH test (IC50 0.38 ± 0.02 mg/mL), reducing power (12.63 ± 0.14 ASE/mL), Fe2+ chelating ability (IC50 2.26 ± 0.06 mg/ mL), and TBA test (IC50 2.47 ± 1.13 ug/mL). Cytotoxicity against Artemia salina was highlighted (IC50 489.47 ± 27.8 ug/mL), and a significant decrease (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) in HepG2 cells viability was observed at the higher concentrations (5–10 ug/mL). The extract displayed good antibacterial activity towards Gram-positive bacteria and in particular Staphylococcus aureus was the most susceptible strain (MIC 78.12 ug/mL).