The phytochemical composition of Lactuca sativa L. var. crispa, commonly known as crisphead lettuce, from Morocco has been re-investigated for the presence of oxyprenylated cinnamic acid and coumarin derivatives. In… Click to show full abstract
The phytochemical composition of Lactuca sativa L. var. crispa, commonly known as crisphead lettuce, from Morocco has been re-investigated for the presence of oxyprenylated cinnamic acid and coumarin derivatives. In the mean time also the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of extracts from leaves obtained by the use of a Soxhlet apparatus have been assessed. The extracts had a high content of polyphenols with remarkable differences ranging from 0.19 to 0.38 mg gallic acid eq/mg, while the content of flavonoids ranged from 3.75 to 9.64 mg catechin eq/g. The hydroalcoholic extract with a polarity index of 5.8 displayed the best anti-oxidant, radical scavenging, and anti-inflammatory activities. The same extracts were screened by reverse-phase HPLC-UV/V analysis for the presence of biologically active oxyprenylated phenylpropanoids. Only 4'-geranyloxyferulic acid was recorded in detectable amounts. Results described herein enforce the nutraceutical value and depict a potential chemopreventive dietary feeding role for crisphead lettuce.
               
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