NMR-based metabolic profiling and in vitro antioxidant and hepatotoxic assessment of partially purified fractions from Golden germander (Teucrium polium L.) methanolic extract

Golden germander (Teucrium polium L.) is a Mediterranean shrub of the Labiatae family, used in traditional medicine for its diuretic, antipyretic, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, anorexic, analgesic, antibacterial and antidiabetic effects. Like other plants of the Teucrium genus, it was widely popular because of its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties but various cases of T. polium-induced hepatitis have been reported. neo-Clerodane diterpenoids, considered chemotaxonomic markers for the Teucrium genus, are believed to be responsible for the observed hepatotoxicity. The plant also produces flavonoids and phenylethanoid glycosides to which the antioxidant and cytoprotective therapeutic properties of its preparations can be traced back. In order to establish a herbal formula that preserves the plant beneficial properties, T. polium leaf drug has been subjected to a bio-guided fractionation. The different phytocomplexes obtained were analyzed by means of an extensive antioxidant screening and hepatotoxicity evaluation against HepG2, a human hepatoblastoma cell line. The cytotoxicity of the fractions was also evaluated against HeLa and A549 cell lines. In order to identify the substances responsible for the bioactivities, NMR-based metabolic profiling techniques of all the phytocomplexes were performed. Data obtained highlighted the possibility of preparing strong antioxidant extracts, useful as food additives, such as MeOH-2, and MeOH-3, completely devoid of hepatotoxic components.