Elevation of anti-oxidative and inhibitory activities against xanthine oxidase and angiotensin-converting enzyme and anti-microbial activities of extracts from saururus chinensis by elicitor treatment

This study was designed to assess the anti-oxidative and biological activities of extracts from Saururus chinensis. It is more effective to use elicitor than non-treated elicitor when extracting phenolic compounds. Elicitor-treated S. chinensis showed higher total phenolic content than the control group. Anti-oxidative activity of elicitor-treated S. chinensis extract increased in a concentration-dependent manner as concentration increased from 1.5 mg elicitor/leaf 1 g (elicitor 1.5) to 3.0 mg elicitor/leaf 1 g (elicitor 3.0). Moreover, 70% ethanol extract showed higher anti-oxidative activity than water extract. Hypertension inhibitory activity of the elicitor-treated group was much higher than that of the non-treated group. Elicitor 3.0 showed a 2-fold higher inhibitory effect and higher than captopril, which was the positive control. Elicitor-treated S. chinensis extract showed high gout preventative activity compared to the non-treated group. It also showed higher xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity than the positive control allopurinol. Thus, it can be expected to be used as a source in the medical industry for hypertension inhibition and gout prevention. Elicitor-treated S. chinensis extract showed partial anti-microbial activity. Elicitor 1.5 showed Streptococcus mutans inhibitory activity against cavities, which was not observed in the control group. Elicitor 3.0 not only showed cavity preventive activity but also a Helicobacter pylori inhibitory effect, which is directly related to stomach ulcer and gastritis. Therefore, elicitor treatment during S. chinensis cultivation will increase total phenolic compound content in the plant source and increase bioactivity, which will yield high quality for industrialization.