Antioxidant, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Properties of Algerian Mentha aquatica Extracts

Abstract

Water mint (Mentha aquatica) is used in many formulations worldwide as a functional food and natural remedy to treat gastrointestinal disorders, lung diseases, and certain mental disorders such as epilepsy and depression. This study assessed the bioactivity of its infusion extract (INF) and hydroethanolic extract (HE) to highlight its health benefits. These extracts were analyzed for their chemical composition by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn, their antioxidant and antidiabetic properties, and their capacities to protect human erythrocytes against induced hemoglobin oxidation and lipid peroxidation. The effect on normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cells and on the N27 rat dopaminergic neuron cell line was also assessed. The chromatographic analysis identified 57 compounds belonging to hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanones, flavone, and isoflavonoids. In respect to the biological potential, the Mentha aquatica extracts revealed a notable capacity for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide, and superoxide radicals, as well as for the inhibition of α-glucosidase action and the protection of human erythrocytes against oxidative damage. Quantification revealed noteworthy phenolic content in both extracts. Additionally, the extracts demonstrated less cytotoxic effects regarding the NHDF and N27 cell lines. Overall, Mentha aquatica presents promising antioxidant activity and a spectrum of potential biological activities, underscoring its significance as a novel antioxidant candidate for applications in animal nutrition, human medicine, and natural product research in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

Keywords: Mentha aquatica; antidiabetic; antioxidant; cytotoxicity; hemoglobin oxidation; lipid peroxidation; phenolic compounds.

Figure 1

Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) in bloom: morphology and ecosystem [57].

Figure 2

Scavenging activity against DPPH^• radical (A), superoxide anion (O₂•⁻) (B), radical NO• (C), and the inhibition of hemoglobin oxidation (D), lipid peroxidation (E), and α-glucosidase activity (F) of Mentha aquatica infusion (INF) and hydroethanolic (HE) extracts. Values expressed as mean ± SD; n = 3.

Figure 3

Effect of infusion and hydroethanolic extract on NHDF viability after extracts exposure, assessed by MTT reduction. In the figure, viability is represented by shades of gray, which darken progressively over time (24 h, 48 h, 72 h). Values show mean ± SEM. One-way ANOVA was used to determine statistical significance in NHDF cells compared to control (black bar). Two-way ANOVA was used in NHDF to compare the two extracts in different concentrations (9.375, 18.75, 37.5, 75, 150, and 300 µg/mL). (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, and *** p < 0.0001).

Figure 4

Effect of infusion and hydroethanolic extract on N27 viability after 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h of exposure, assessed by MTT reduction. Values show mean ± standard deviation performed in triplicate. One-way ANOVA was used to determine statistical significance in N27 cells compared to control (black bar). Two-way ANOVA was used in N27 to compare the two extracts in different concentrations (9.375, 18.75, 37.5, 75, 150, and 300 µg/mL). (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, and *** p < 0.0001).