Enhalus acoroides (L.f.) Royle, Hydrocharitaceae, a seagrass species commonly found in tropical marine environments, is recognised as a valuable source of bioactive substances with promising uses in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. In this research, twelve compounds were extracted from the methanol extract of E. acoroides leaves collected in Vietnam. These include two triacylglycerides: glyceryl tristearate and glyceryl-1,3-distearate-2-oleate; one sterol, cholesterol; an ellagic acid derivative, 3,3′,4′-tri-O-methylellagic acid; four flavonols: naringenin-4′,7-dimethyl ether, catechin, quercetin, and luteolin, as well as four flavonoid glycosides: (+)-catechin-4′-O-β-glucopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (rutin), and apigenin-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranoside. These compounds contribute to the complex phytochemical composition of E. acoroides and point to its therapeutic potential. Additional research is needed to further investigate the biological properties and medicinal effectiveness of these compounds. The structures of the isolated compounds were confirmed using 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy, along with data comparisons from existing literature. Biological testing revealed that the methanol extract and (+)-catechin-4′-O-β-glucopyranoside, apigenin-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranoside, and quercetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, with IC50 values of 11.83 ± 1.05 µg/ml and 6.89 ± 3.36, 14.78 ± 0.68, and 22.00 ± 1.85 mM, respectively. Antioxidant tests indicated that quercetin had strong free radical scavenging activity (IC50 12.8 µM), followed by luteolin and rutin. Some compounds also moderately inhibited melanin production, with (+)-catechin-4′-O-β-glucopyranoside and apigenin-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranoside displaying the greatest melanin inhibition while maintaining cell viability, indicating their potential as skin-lightening agents. Both the extract and the isolated compounds also showed moderate antibacterial effects and melanin synthesis inhibition, suggesting possible photoprotective and depigmenting benefits. Overall, these results underscore E. acoroides as a significant marine source of flavonoids with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, supporting its potential for use in skincare and cosmeceutical products. Graphical Abstract Bioactive Compounds from Enhalus acoroides

Marine-Derived Flavonoids from Enhalus acoroides: Isolation, Structural Elucidation, and Biological Evaluation

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年3月23日

查看全文

Quang Tung Nguyen,
Thi Huong Trinh,
Thi Thu Thuy Tran,
Thi Minh Nguyet Hoang,
Thi Thuy Nguyen,
Thi Ha Dinh,
Dinh Thang Tran,
Idania Rodeiro Guerrae,
Lan Phuong Doan

摘要

Enhalus acoroides (L.f.) Royle, Hydrocharitaceae, a seagrass species commonly found in tropical marine environments, is recognised as a valuable source of bioactive substances with promising uses in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. In this research, twelve compounds were extracted from the methanol extract of E. acoroides leaves collected in Vietnam. These include two triacylglycerides: glyceryl tristearate and glyceryl-1,3-distearate-2-oleate; one sterol, cholesterol; an ellagic acid derivative, 3,3′,4′-tri-O-methylellagic acid; four flavonols: naringenin-4′,7-dimethyl ether, catechin, quercetin, and luteolin, as well as four flavonoid glycosides: (+)-catechin-4′-O-β-glucopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (rutin), and apigenin-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranoside. These compounds contribute to the complex phytochemical composition of E. acoroides and point to its therapeutic potential. Additional research is needed to further investigate the biological properties and medicinal effectiveness of these compounds. The structures of the isolated compounds were confirmed using 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy, along with data comparisons from existing literature. Biological testing revealed that the methanol extract and (+)-catechin-4′-O-β-glucopyranoside, apigenin-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranoside, and quercetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, with IC₅₀ values of 11.83 ± 1.05 µg/ml and 6.89 ± 3.36, 14.78 ± 0.68, and 22.00 ± 1.85 mM, respectively. Antioxidant tests indicated that quercetin had strong free radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ 12.8 µM), followed by luteolin and rutin. Some compounds also moderately inhibited melanin production, with (+)-catechin-4′-O-β-glucopyranoside and apigenin-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranoside displaying the greatest melanin inhibition while maintaining cell viability, indicating their potential as skin-lightening agents. Both the extract and the isolated compounds also showed moderate antibacterial effects and melanin synthesis inhibition, suggesting possible photoprotective and depigmenting benefits. Overall, these results underscore E. acoroides as a significant marine source of flavonoids with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, supporting its potential for use in skincare and cosmeceutical products.

Graphical Abstract

Bioactive Compounds from Enhalus acoroides