Polyphenol Profiling, Antibacterial Activity, and In Vitro Cytotoxic Effects of a Diethyl Ether Fraction from Juniper Cone Berries
7 affiliations
- 1Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- 2Department of Pharmacology-Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- 3Research Centre for Experimental Pharmacology and Drug Design (X-Pharm Design), “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- 4Discipline of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- 5Discipline of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- 6Department of Toxicology and Drug Industry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- 7Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnologies and Environmental Protection, Politehnica University Timișoara, Vasile Pârvan No. 6, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
Abstract
Modern research on medicinal plants aims to expand their applications beyond traditional usage. Juniper (Juniperus communis L.) cone berries have a background in the phytotherapy of skin diseases. The present study investigated a diethyl ether fraction (JC-DEE) obtained by sequential solvent partitioning of an ethanolic extract from Juniperus communis L. cone berries. Phytochemical characterization was performed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, HPLC–MS, and total phenolic content determination. The antimicrobial activity of JC-DEE and its effects on cell viability and morphology in HaCaT keratinocytes and A375 melanoma cells were evaluated, alongside an exploratory DPPH spectrophotometric assessment. Targeted HPLC–MS analysis identified eleven selected constituents, seven of which were quantified within the validated calibration range, with apigenin (1.971 ± 0.150 µg/mL), protocatechuic acid (1.070 ± 0.049 µg/mL), and luteolin (0.560 ± 0.046 µg/mL) showing the highest concentrations in the analyzed solution. The antimicrobial assay revealed limited inhibitory effects against the tested microorganisms, with inhibition zones ranging from 7 to 10 mm. Exploratory DPPH measurements revealed time- and concentration-associated variations in apparent absorbance reduction. In the cellular assays, JC-DEE produced a concentration-dependent reduction in viability in both human A375 melanoma cells and HaCaT keratinocytes, with estimated IC50 values of 102.7 μg/mL and 129.3 μg/mL, respectively. Phase-contrast microscopy revealed concentration-related morphological alterations, while immunofluorescence analysis at 100 μg/mL demonstrated cytoskeletal and nuclear changes, including nuclear condensation and fragmentation, with apoptotic body-like structures particularly evident in A375 cells. Overall, JC-DEE represents a phytochemically characterized fraction exhibiting limited antimicrobial effects and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in the investigated cellular models, while its antioxidant potential remains to be validated. Further studies are required to identify the constituents responsible for these effects, clarify the mechanisms of cell death, and assess selectivity and safety in additional non-malignant cellular models.
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BibTeX
@article{jojic2026polyphenol,
title = {{Polyphenol Profiling, Antibacterial Activity, and In Vitro Cytotoxic Effects of a Diethyl Ether Fraction from Juniper Cone Berries}},
author = {Alina Arabela Jojić and Diana Uţu and Gabriela Antal and Alexandra Mioc and Delia Muntean and Laurian Vlase and Ana-Maria Vlase and Elena-Alina Moacă and Raluca Vodă and Codruța Marinela Şoica and Diana-Simona Tchiakpe-Antal},
journal = {Molecules},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/molecules31213910},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3910},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Polyphenol Profiling, Antibacterial Activity, and In Vitro Cytotoxic Effects of a Diethyl Ether Fraction from Juniper Cone Berries
AU - Alina Arabela Jojić
AU - Diana Uţu
AU - Gabriela Antal
AU - Alexandra Mioc
AU - Delia Muntean
AU - Laurian Vlase
AU - Ana-Maria Vlase
AU - Elena-Alina Moacă
AU - Raluca Vodă
AU - Codruța Marinela Şoica
AU - Diana-Simona Tchiakpe-Antal
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - Molecules
DO - 10.3390/molecules31213910
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3910
AB - Modern research on medicinal plants aims to expand their applications beyond traditional usage. Juniper (Juniperus communis L.) cone berries have a background in the phytotherapy of skin diseases. The present study investigated a diethyl ether fraction (JC-DEE) obtained by sequential solvent partitioning of an ethanolic extract from Juniperus communis L. cone berries. Phytochemical characterization was performed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, HPLC–MS, and total phenolic content determination. The antimicrobial activity of JC-DEE and its effects on cell viability and morphology in HaCaT keratinocytes and A375 melanoma cells were evaluated, alongside an exploratory DPPH spectrophotometric assessment. Targeted HPLC–MS analysis identified eleven selected constituents, seven of which were quantified within the validated calibration range, with apigenin (1.971 ± 0.150 µg/mL), protocatechuic acid (1.070 ± 0.049 µg/mL), and luteolin (0.560 ± 0.046 µg/mL) showing the highest concentrations in the analyzed solution. The antimicrobial assay revealed limited inhibitory effects against the tested microorganisms, with inhibition zones ranging from 7 to 10 mm. Exploratory DPPH measurements revealed time- and concentration-associated variations in apparent absorbance reduction. In the cellular assays, JC-DEE produced a concentration-dependent reduction in viability in both human A375 melanoma cells and HaCaT keratinocytes, with estimated IC50 values of 102.7 μg/mL and 129.3 μg/mL, respectively. Phase-contrast microscopy revealed concentration-related morphological alterations, while immunofluorescence analysis at 100 μg/mL demonstrated cytoskeletal and nuclear changes, including nuclear condensation and fragmentation, with apoptotic body-like structures particularly evident in A375 cells. Overall, JC-DEE represents a phytochemically characterized fraction exhibiting limited antimicrobial effects and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in the investigated cellular models, while its antioxidant potential remains to be validated. Further studies are required to identify the constituents responsible for these effects, clarify the mechanisms of cell death, and assess selectivity and safety in additional non-malignant cellular models.
SN - 1420-3049
ER -