Phytochemical Evaluation and Antioxidant-Antimicrobial Potential of Lilium spp. Bulbs: Therapeutic and Dermatocosmetic Applications

doi:10.3390/plants14131917

. 2025 Jun 22;14(13):1917.

doi: 10.3390/plants14131917.

Phytochemical Evaluation and Antioxidant-Antimicrobial Potential of Lilium spp. Bulbs: Therapeutic and Dermatocosmetic Applications

Simona Lupșor¹, Gabriela Stanciu¹, Radu Emilian Cristache², Emilia Pănuș³, Cristiana Radulescu^{4

5

6}, Radu Lucian Olteanu⁴, Claudia Lavinia Buruleanu⁷, Raluca Maria Stirbescu⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Engineering, Ovidius University of Constanta, 900527 Constanta, Romania.
² Faculty of Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.
³ Constanța Public Health Directorate, 89 Nicolae Iorga Street, 900587 Constanta, Romania.
⁴ Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Valahia University of Targoviste, 130004 Targoviste, Romania.
⁵ Doctoral School Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania.
⁶ Academy of Romanian Scientists, 050044 Bucharest, Romania.
⁷ Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Food Science, Valahia University of Targoviste, 13 Sinaia Alley, 130004 Targoviste, Romania.
⁸ Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Science and Technology, Valahia University of Targoviste, 130004 Targoviste, Romania.

PMID: 40647926
PMCID: PMC12251747
DOI: 10.3390/plants14131917

Phytochemical Evaluation and Antioxidant-Antimicrobial Potential of Lilium spp. Bulbs: Therapeutic and Dermatocosmetic Applications

Simona Lupșor et al. Plants (Basel). 2025.

. 2025 Jun 22;14(13):1917.

doi: 10.3390/plants14131917.

Authors

Simona Lupșor¹, Gabriela Stanciu¹, Radu Emilian Cristache², Emilia Pănuș³, Cristiana Radulescu^{4

5

6}, Radu Lucian Olteanu⁴, Claudia Lavinia Buruleanu⁷, Raluca Maria Stirbescu⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Engineering, Ovidius University of Constanta, 900527 Constanta, Romania.
² Faculty of Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.
³ Constanța Public Health Directorate, 89 Nicolae Iorga Street, 900587 Constanta, Romania.
⁴ Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Valahia University of Targoviste, 130004 Targoviste, Romania.
⁵ Doctoral School Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania.
⁶ Academy of Romanian Scientists, 050044 Bucharest, Romania.
⁷ Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Food Science, Valahia University of Targoviste, 13 Sinaia Alley, 130004 Targoviste, Romania.
⁸ Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Science and Technology, Valahia University of Targoviste, 130004 Targoviste, Romania.

PMID: 40647926
PMCID: PMC12251747
DOI: 10.3390/plants14131917

Abstract

Lilium spp. bulbs are traditionally valued for their medicinal properties, yet their phytochemical profile and biomedical potential remain underexplored. This study aims to assess the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and dermatocosmetic potential of ethanolic macerates from five Lilium spp. cultivars. Bulb macerates were obtained using 70% and 96% ethanol and evaluated for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), condensed tannins (CTC), mineral composition, and antioxidant activity (DPPH assay). Spectroscopic (FTIR) and antimicrobial analyses were also performed. Macerates from Lilium "Dark Secret" (LD-70) and Lilium asiaticum "White" (LA-70) exhibited the highest levels of TPC (225 and 162.5 mg GAE/100 g f.w.), TFC (26.12 and 21.75 mg QE/100 g f.w.), and antioxidant activity (81.5 and 58.75 mg GAE/100 g f.w.). FTIR confirmed the phenolic composition, while mineral analysis revealed a high potassium content and negligible toxic metals. Selective antimicrobial activity was observed against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans, particularly for LD-70 and LA-70 macerates. Based on these findings, stable hydrogel formulations incorporating LD-70 and LA-70 were developed, showing favorable pH, rheology, and sustained antioxidant activity over 60 days. These findings support the integration of Lilium-derived macerates into dermatocosmetic formulations targeting skin protection and microbial defense.

Keywords: FTIR spectroscopy; Lilium spp.; antimicrobial activity; antioxidant activity; condensed tannins; flavonoids; maceration; phenolic compounds; phytocosmetics; skin health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

**Figure 1**
Total phenolic content (TPC) in *Lilium* spp. bulb macerates extracted with 70% and 96% ethanol. Results are expressed as mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 g fresh weight. The macerates obtained with 70% ethanol are represented by orange bars, while those extracted with 96% ethanol are depicted as blue bars for each *Lilium* species. Values represent mean ± SD of triplicate measurements.

**Figure 2**
Comparison of radical scavenging activity (DPPH assay) of *Lilium* bulb macerates obtained using 70% ethanol (orange) and 96% ethanol (blue). Values are reported as mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 g fresh weight. Error bars indicate the standard deviation.

**Figure 3**
Total flavonoid content (TFC) of *Lilium* spp. bulb macerates, expressed as mg of quercetin equivalents per 100 g fresh weight (mg QE/100 g f.w.). Orange bars represent macerates obtained with 70% ethanol, while blue bars correspond to those extracted with 96% ethanol. Error bars indicate the standard deviation.

**Figure 4**
Comparative boxplots of total polyphenolic content (TPC) (a), total flavonoid content (TFC) (b), and antioxidant activity (AA) (c) of *Lilium* spp. macerates. In (a), the asterisk (*) related to sample LD-96 shows the TPC value of this sample, the highest compared to all values in the data set. In (b), the asterisk (*) related to sample LD -70 shows the TFC value of this sample, the highest compared to all values in the data set. In Figure (b), the circle (◦) related to sample LM -70 shows the TFC value of this sample, the smallest compared to all values in the data set.

**Figure 5**
Screen Plot showing the extraction of components during Principal Component Analysis.

**Figure 6**
Dendrogram using Average Linkage (Between Groups).

**Figure 7**
Mineral content of *Lilium* spp. bulbs samples. Bars represent the concentrations of key macrominerals—potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg)—as well as important micronutrients (e.g., iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn)) and any detected heavy metals, expressed in mg per kg of sample. Error bars indicate the standard deviation.

**Figure 8**
Overlapping FTIR spectra of *Lilium* spp. bulb macerates (blue—LA, red—LD, pink—LG, green—LM, and turquoise—LR). LA—*Lilium asiaticum* “White”; LD—*Lilium* “Dark Secret”; LG—*Lilium* “Sunset boulevard”; LM—*Lilium candidum* L. “Madonna Lily”; LR—*Lilium robina*.

**Figure 9**
Boxplot matrices showing the relationships between the antimicrobial activity of *Lilium* macerates (expressed as inhibition zone), total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity (AA). Panel (a): Inhibition zone vs. antioxidant activity for each tested micro-organism (*S. aureus* ATCC 25923, *E. coli* ATCC 25922, *P. aeruginosa* ATCC 27853, and *C. albicans* ATCC 10231). Panel (b): Inhibition zone vs. TPC.

**Figure 10**
Principal Component Analysis of phytochemical compounds of macerates and their antimicrobial activity against the tested strains (Component Plot in Rotated Space). TPC—Total polyphenolic content (mg gallic acid/100 g of fresh weight); AA—antioxidant activity (mg gallic acid/100 g fresh weight); TFC—Total flavonoid content (mg quercetin/100 g fresh weight); CTC—Condensed tannins content (mg (+)-catechin eq./100 g of fresh weight).

**Figure 11**
Neural network of data (Multilayer Perceptron). TPC—Total polyphenolic content (mg gallic acid/100 g of fresh weight); AA—antioxidant activity (mg gallic acid/100 g fresh weight); TFC—Total flavonoid content (mg quercetin/100 g fresh weight); CTC—Condensed tannins content (mg (+)-catechin eq./100 g of fresh weight).

**Figure 12**
Normalized importance of the chemical parameters on the antimicrobial activity of macerates according to neural network analysis.

**Figure 13**
Spreadability of hydrogel HLD-70 (*Lilium* “Dark Secret”—ethanol 70% macerate).

**Figure 14**
Spreadability of hydrogel HLA-70 (*Lilium asiaticum* “White”—ethanol 70% macerate).

**Figure 15**
Flow curve for hydrogel HLD-70 (*Lilium* “Dark Secret”—ethanol 70%).

**Figure 16**
Flow curve for hydrogel HLA-70 (*Lilium asiaticum* “White”—ethanol 70%).

See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

1. Zhou Y., An R. Genus Lilium: A Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2021;270:113851. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.113852. - DOI - PubMed
1. Jin L., Zhang Y., Yan L., Guo Y., Niu L. Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Bulb Extracts of Six Lilium Species Native to China. Molecules. 2012;17:9361–9378. doi: 10.3390/molecules17089361. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
1. Liang Z.-X., Zhang J.-Z., Sun M.-Y., Zhang Y.-L., Zhang X.-H., Li H., Shi L. Variation of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacities in Different Organs of Lilium pumilum. Nat. Prod. Commun. 2018;13:717–722. doi: 10.1177/1934578X1801300616. - DOI
1. Zaccai M., Yarmolinsky L., Khalfin B., Budovsky A., Gorelick J., Dahan A., Ben-Shabat S. Medicinal Properties of Lilium candidum L. and Its Phytochemicals. Plants. 2020;9:959. doi: 10.3390/plants9080959. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
1. Tang Y., Liu Y., Luo K., Xu L., Yang P., Ming J. Potential Applications of Lilium Plants in Cosmetics: A Comprehensive Review Based on Research Papers and Patents. Antioxidants. 2022;11:1458. doi: 10.3390/antiox11081458. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

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[1] Zhou Y., An R. Genus Lilium: A Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2021;270:113851. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.113852. - DOI - PubMed

[2] Zhou Y., An R. Genus Lilium: A Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2021;270:113851. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.113852. - DOI - PubMed

[3] Jin L., Zhang Y., Yan L., Guo Y., Niu L. Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Bulb Extracts of Six Lilium Species Native to China. Molecules. 2012;17:9361–9378. doi: 10.3390/molecules17089361. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[4] Jin L., Zhang Y., Yan L., Guo Y., Niu L. Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Bulb Extracts of Six Lilium Species Native to China. Molecules. 2012;17:9361–9378. doi: 10.3390/molecules17089361. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[5] Liang Z.-X., Zhang J.-Z., Sun M.-Y., Zhang Y.-L., Zhang X.-H., Li H., Shi L. Variation of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacities in Different Organs of Lilium pumilum. Nat. Prod. Commun. 2018;13:717–722. doi: 10.1177/1934578X1801300616. - DOI

[6] Liang Z.-X., Zhang J.-Z., Sun M.-Y., Zhang Y.-L., Zhang X.-H., Li H., Shi L. Variation of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacities in Different Organs of Lilium pumilum. Nat. Prod. Commun. 2018;13:717–722. doi: 10.1177/1934578X1801300616. - DOI

[7] Zaccai M., Yarmolinsky L., Khalfin B., Budovsky A., Gorelick J., Dahan A., Ben-Shabat S. Medicinal Properties of Lilium candidum L. and Its Phytochemicals. Plants. 2020;9:959. doi: 10.3390/plants9080959. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[8] Zaccai M., Yarmolinsky L., Khalfin B., Budovsky A., Gorelick J., Dahan A., Ben-Shabat S. Medicinal Properties of Lilium candidum L. and Its Phytochemicals. Plants. 2020;9:959. doi: 10.3390/plants9080959. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[9] Tang Y., Liu Y., Luo K., Xu L., Yang P., Ming J. Potential Applications of Lilium Plants in Cosmetics: A Comprehensive Review Based on Research Papers and Patents. Antioxidants. 2022;11:1458. doi: 10.3390/antiox11081458. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[10] Tang Y., Liu Y., Luo K., Xu L., Yang P., Ming J. Potential Applications of Lilium Plants in Cosmetics: A Comprehensive Review Based on Research Papers and Patents. Antioxidants. 2022;11:1458. doi: 10.3390/antiox11081458. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

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Phytochemical Evaluation and Antioxidant-Antimicrobial Potential of Lilium spp. Bulbs: Therapeutic and Dermatocosmetic Applications

Affiliations

Phytochemical Evaluation and Antioxidant-Antimicrobial Potential of Lilium spp. Bulbs: Therapeutic and Dermatocosmetic Applications

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

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