UHPLC-ESI-OT-MS Phenolics Profiling, Free Radical Scavenging, Antibacterial and Nematicidal Activities of “Yellow-Brown Resins” from Larrea spp.

Abstract

This research was designed to investigate the metabolite profiling, phenolics and flavonoids content and the potential antioxidant, antibacterial and nematicidal activities of “yellow-brown resins” from Larrea divaricata Cav (LdRe) and L. nitida Cav (LnRe). Metabolite profiling was obtained using an ultrahigh resolution liquid chromatography orbitrap MS analysis (UHPLC-ESI-OT-MS). The antioxidant properties were screened by four methods: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay (DPPH), trolox equivalent antioxidant activity assay (TEAC), ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) and lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes (LP). The antibacterial activity was evaluated according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. In addition, the potential combinatory effect was analyzed with the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values using the checkerboard design. The nematicidal activity was carried out according to a standardized protocol. LdRe and LnRe showed a strong capture of the DPPH radical withvalues around 8.4 µg resin/mL; FRAP (1.69–1.94 mgTE/ g resin), TEAC (1.08–1.09 mgTE/g resin) and LP (81–82% at 100 µg of resin/mL) assays. A strong antimicrobial activity was displayed by both resins against methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923(MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus ATCC 43300(MRSA) (MICs = 16–32 µg resin/mL). Additionally, the combination of LdRe or LnRe with the antibiotic cefotaxime showed an indifferent effect (FICI values = 1–1.25), however, this combinationcould be a potential strategy to reduce the drug doses, and in this way can be a potential alternative to reduce bacterial resistance. On the other hand, the resins showed a scarce nematicidal potential toward J2 Meloidogyne incognita; an important nematode infecting horticultural crops. Phenolics compounds were identified by UHPLC-PDA-OT-MS analysis, updating the knowledge on the chemical profile of these species. These results, together with the high content of quantified phenolics and flavonoids, allow the phenolics-enriched resins of these two Larrea species to be considered as a promising sustainable source of compounds of pharmacological interest.

1. Introduction

The resins are naturally secreted by species of the families Asteraceae, Burseraceae, Fabaceae, Pinaceae and Zygophyllaceae. Their chemical profiles are characterized by phenolic compounds, terpenes, flavonoids, chalcones, lignans and fats, some of which display protective functions against natural predators and pathogens of these species [1]. Exudates and resins from some South American plants have been previously reported as sources of potential antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds [2,3,4,5]. Argentina and Mexico are the main habitat of resinous plant species belonging to the genera Larrea (Zygophyllaceae). From this genus, four species are widely distributed in Argentina (Larrea ameghinoi, L. cuneifolia, L. divaricata and L. nitida); two of the species also inhabit Chile (L. divaricata and L. nitida) and two species grow in Mexico (L. mexicana and L. tridentata) [6,7]. The species of the genus Larrea in Argentina (Larrea ameghinoi, L. cuneifolia, L. divaricata and L. nitida), vernacular name “jarillas” are used extensively in traditional medicine in Argentina and in Andean communities for the treatment of injuries and bruises, and a good disinfectant of wounds, repellent of insects, for roof construction in rural areas and as a vegetable fuel for cooking food. These uses are also shared with the resinous species Zuccagnia punctata, commonly called “jarilla macho” [5]. Extracts and infusions of aerial parts of most species of this genus have displayed several biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant and inhibitory agents of several enzymes, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and others [8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18]. However, the chemical characterization of the Larrea genus resins, characterized by their high content of phenolics compounds, is still scarce, and their potential antioxidant, antibacterial and nematicidal activities.

In previous reports, several medicinal plants and native fruits growing in Argentina and Chile have been analyzed combining full mass spectra and MSn experiments from quadrupole orbitrap spectrometry (Q-OT-MS), significantly updating the chemical composition and their biological activities, in most of the species investigated. A considerable number of these previous reports have given scientific support to the use or consumption in traditional medicine in both countries [19,20,21,22,23,24,25].

The main goals and novelty of this work are the antioxidant, antibacterial and nematicidal effects complemented with the full metabolome polyphenolic profile using a hybrid high-resolution mass spectrometer of the resins from the medicinal plants, L. divaricata and L. nitida, supporting the recognized medicinal properties of this plant as a sustainable way of biomolecules of pharmacological interest.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Chemicals

Ultra-pure water (<5 µg/L TOC, (total organic carbon)) was obtained from a water purification system Arium 126 61316-RO, plus an Arium 611 UV unit (Sartorius, Goettingen, Germany). Methanol (HPLC grade) and formic acid (puriss. p.a. for mass spectrometry) from J. T. Baker (Phillipsburg, NJ, USA) were obtained. Dichloromethane (HPLC grade) were from Merck (Santiago, Chile). Commercial Folin-Ciocalteu(FC) reagent, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric chloride hexahydrate, 2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine, trolox, quercetin, gallic acid and DMSO were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Chem. Co. (St Louis, MO, USA). Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), 3′ methyl-nordihydroguaiaretic acid (MNDGA), LnRe and characterized by analysis of their spectroscopic data (¹H and ¹³C NMR, MS) were used as standards [26].

2.2. Plant Material

Three representative and independent samples of 2 kg of aerial parts (stems with leaves and flowers) for each species were collected in December 2015, in the Iglesia district, province of San Juan (Argentina) at an altitude of 1800 m (L. divaricata) and 2700 m (L. nitida) above sea level. Each sample was collected from ten plants. The two plants belonging to the Zygophyllaceae genera were classified and a voucher specimen was deposited in the Laboratory of Natural Products of the University of San Juan (Argentina) under the following voucher number IBT-Ld-1and IBT-Ln-1.

2.3. Extraction of Yellow-Brown Resin

L. divaricata Cav (LdRe) and L. nitida Cav (LnRe) resins were obtained by dipping the fresh plant (100 g) in cold CH₂Cl₂(DCM, 1000 mL) at room temperature (30 °C) for 60 s. Each DCM extract was concentrated under pressure at 30 °C to give a following semisolid yellow-brown residue for each Larrea resin: LdRe resin12 g, (12% w/w yield) and LnRe resin 9.5 g, (9.5% w/w yield). The extraction procedure was done three times.

2.4. UHPLC-DAD-MS Instrument and Chromatographic Conditions

A Thermo Scientific Dionex Ultimate 3000 UHPLC system, hyphenated with a Thermo high resolution Q-Exactive focus mass spectrometer (Thermo, Bremen, Germany) was used for the analysis. The chromatographic system was coupled to the MS with a heated electrospray ionization source II (HESI II). Nitrogen (purity > 99.999%) obtained from a Genius NM32LA nitrogen generator (Peak Scientific, Billerica, MA, USA) was employed to produce MS fragmentation. Mass calibration for the Orbitrap spectrometer and HESI parameters were explained in detail and precisely in previous reports [5,24].

Solvent delivery was performed at 1 mL/min using ultrapure water supplemented with 1% formic acid (A) and acetonitrile with 1% acid formic (B) and a program starting with 5% B at zero time, then maintained 5% B for 5 min, then changing to 30% B within 10 min, then maintaining 30% B for 15 min, then going to 70% B for 5 min, then maintaining 70% B for 10 min, and finally returning to 5% B in 10 min and keeping this condition for twelve additional minutes to achieve column stabilization before the next injection of 20 µL [5,24].

2.5. Determination of Total Phenolic (TP) and Flavonoid (F) Content

The total content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids was determined by means of the Folin–Ciocalteu and AlCl₃ tests respectively [5,24]. The evaluated concentrations of the resins were 1 mg/mL. The results were obtained by using standards (gallic acid and quercetin) and were expressed as equivalent in milligrams to these (mg GAE/g Larrea resin for phenolics and mg QE/g Larrea resin for flavonoids).

2.6. Antioxidant Activity

2.6.1. DPPH Scavenging Activity

The radical scavenging capacity of both resins was assessed using the DPPH assay, which was explained in detail and precisely for reproducibility in previous reports [5,24]. The resins and reference standards were analyzed in the concentration range of 1 and 100 µg/mL. The values obtained were expressed as mean EC₅₀ ± SD in µg resin/mL.

2.6.2. Ferric-Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay (FRAP)

The reducing power of the Larrea resins was evaluated using the FRAP test, following the protocols already reported explained in detail for correct reproducibility [5,24]. Both resins were tested at 1 mg/mL. In addition, a Trolox calibration curve (0–1 mmol/L) was used. The results obtained were reported as milligrams Trolox equivalent by/grams of resin (mg TE/g resin).

2.6.3. Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Activity (TEAC) Assay

The assay was carried out in the microplate protocol, which has been reported in detailed form for their correct reproducibility in previous reports [5,24]. The LdRe and LnRe resins were dissolved in methanol and mixed with 200 µL of ABTS, reading the absorbance at 734 nm after 4 min. Results from a calibration curve constructed with Trolox (reference compound, 0–1 mmol/L) are expressed as equivalent milligrams Trolox by grams resin (mg TE/g resin).

2.6.4. Lipid Peroxidation in Human Erythrocytes

The protocol to lipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes (LP) assay was explained in detail and precisely for reproducibility in previous reports [5,24]. Blood samples were obtained from healthy volunteer donors, and extracted by doctors in Biochemistry belonging to our Research Institute. LdRe and LdRe were assayed 100 and 250 µg of Larrea resin/mL, while the reference compound catechin was at 100 µg resin/mL. The results are expressed as a percentage of inhibition of LP in µg of resin/mL. Healthy volunteer donors gave their informed consent for inclusion before participating in the study. The protocol assay was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and is included in the approvedproject by CICIT-CA-UNSJ-Argentina (Projectcode 80020190100277SJ, Resolución N 0591-20-R-UNSJ) referred to the ethical and environmental safeguard, and to preserve the hygiene and safety conditions in the activities to be carried out in laboratories.

2.7. Nematicidal Activity

The nematicidal effects were determined by the procedure previously described [27]. A pure population of Meloidogyne incognita previously identified was collected from infected Solanum lycopersicum fields from San Juan province, Argentina. Infected roots were washed gently and sterilized with 1% NaOCl for 4 min. Under stereoscopic microscope at 1.6 × egg masses hand-picked. They were incubated in a growth chamber at 27 ± 1 °C. After hatching, second stage juveniles (J2) were collected up to 3 days old for the assays. For the screening, 50 mg of Larrea resins were dissolved in 98.7 mL distilled water, 1 mL MeOH and 0.3 mL Tween 20. These solutions were filtered on filter paper and the final concentration was calculated for each one and constituted as the undiluted solution. The final concentrations for LdRe was 0.023% w/v and for LnRe was 0.025% w/v, each solution were testing undiluted (1), dilution 1:1 (2) and dilution 1:4 (3) v/v. Thirty J2 were incubated in glass Petri dishes of 50 mm ø with 10 mL of Larrea resin and kept in the dark at 28 ± 1 °C. Regarding the negative control, 10 mL of purified water was used. At 72 h under stereoscopic microscope, the vitality of the nematodes was corroborated. Five replicates were made for each treatment and for the negative control. J2 were considered as dead if their bodies were straight with no movement even if physically stimulated with a fine needle. Data were expressed as percentage mortality of J2 and to calculate the correction % by natural mortality in control, Schneider-Orelli formula was applied: Corrected % = (mortality % in treatment-mortality % in control))/((100-mortality % in control)) × 100, and they were analyzed by ANOVA and LSD Fisher α = 0.05 to determine the statistical differences between the means, through InfoStat program (v.2018).

2.8. Antibacterial Activity

2.8.1. Microorganisms

Gram-positive strains: methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 (MSSA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus-MQ5097, Streptococcus pyogenes-MQ4 and Streptococcus agalactiae and Gram-negative strains: Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, E.coli-MQ11009, E. coli-MQ11068, E. coli-MQ11062 and E. coli-MQ586, from the American Type Culture Collection(ATCC, Rockville, MD, USA) and clinical isolates provided by the Microbiology Laboratory of the Public Dr. Marcial Quiroga, Hospital, San Juan, Argentina (MQ) were used.

2.8.2. Antibacterial Activity of Larrea Resins

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of resins and reference antibiotics Cefotaxime (Argentia^®, Buenos Aires, Argentina) and Imipenem-cilastatin (Imipecil^®) were carried out by broth microdilution techniques using Mueller Hinton medium, according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) [28]. The LdRe and LnRe resins were tested in triplicate between 0.98 and 250 µg/mL. Microorganism suspensions were adjusted in a spectrophotometer with sterile physiological solutions to give a final organism density of the 0.5 McFarland scale (5 × 10⁵ CFU/mL) A volume of 100 µL of inoculum suspension was added to each well with the exception of the sterility control. The samples were diluted in DMSO in the assay (≤1%). The absorbances at 620 nm were determined in a Multiskan FC Microplate Photometer (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC in µg/mL) was defined as the lowest compounds/extracts concentration showing no visible bacterial growth after incubation time. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC in µg/mL) of Larrea resins and reference compounds was determined as follows: After determining the MIC, an aliquot of 5 μL sample was withdrawn from each clear well of the microtiter tray and plated onto a agar plate. Inoculated plates were incubated at 37 °C, and MBCs were recorded after 24 h. The MBC was defined as the lowest concentration of each compound that resulted in total inhibition of visible growth in these plates.

2.8.3. Antibacterial Combinatory Effect between Larrea Resins with Cefotaxime by the Checkerboard Design

The potential antibacterial combinatory effect (synergism) between LdRe, LnRe and reference antibiotic cefotaxime (Cef) was evaluated against methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus ATCC 43300 (MRSA), using the checkerboard design [29]. Briefly, LdRe and LnRe were diluted two-fold in the vertical orientation, whereas antibacterial drugs were diluted in the horizontal one. Their respective concentrations were 4, 2, 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 × MIC, which were selected based on MIC values previously determined. In each well (microliter plate) was added an inoculum of 5 × 10⁵ (CFU/mL) and incubated at 37 °C (24 h). The checkerboard design are showed in Figure S1 (Supplementary Materials) was as follows:

For each combination, the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) was calculated as follows:

$$FI{C}_{Larrea resin}=\raisebox{1ex}{$MI{C}_{Larrea in comb.}$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$MI{C}_{Larrea resin alone}$}\right.$$ (1)

$$FI{C}_{Cef}=\raisebox{1ex}{$MI{C}_{Cef in comb.}$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$MI{C}_{Cef alone}$}\right.$$ (2)

Additionally, the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was determined by following equation:

$$FICI=FI{C}_{Larrea resin}+FI{C}_{Cef}$$ (3)

The values obtained were interpreted as follow: synergy effect (FICI ≤ 0.5), no interaction or indifference (FICI > 0.5–4.0), and antagonism (FICI > 4) according to Odds, (2003) [30].

2.8.4. Dose Reduction Index (DRI)

The dose reduction index (DRI) determines how manyfolds the dose of an antibiotic in a combination may be reduced at a given effect level compared with the doses of the antibiotic alone. A greater DRI indicates a greater dose reduction for a given effect level [31]. The DRI value for cefotaxime was calculated as follows:

$$DRI=\raisebox{1ex}{$MI{C}_{Cef alone}$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$MI{C}_{Cef in comb.}$}\right.$$ (4)

2.8.5. Isobolograms

The potential antibacterial combinatory effect between LdRe and LnRe and cefotaxime antibiotic are showed in normalized Isobolograms, which depicts the results of the checkerboard design [32]. In the Isobolograms, the alone MIC value of Larrea resins (LdRe o LnRe) is represented on the x-axis, and the alone MIC of the cefotaxime on the y-axis. The line of no interaction (line of indifference) represents the line connecting these two points. The combinations below this line are a synergistic effect (FICI ≤ 0.5), while combinations above represent an antagonism effect (FICI > 4) [30].

2.9. Statistical Analysis

All determinations in total phenolic (TP), flavonoid (FT) and antioxidant assays were made in triplicate using a Multiskan FC Microplate Photometer (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). The values from triplicates are reported as the mean ± standard deviation (SD). In addition, the Duncan’s test of the InfoStat program (2016 edition, National University of Córdoba, Argentina) was used to determine statistical differences (p < 0.05) between the tests used.

3. Results

3.1. UHPLC-OT Analysis of LdRe and LnRe

The use of full scan mass spectra, using base peaks chromatograms and fragmentation experiments were very useful for the identification of a significant number of flavonoids, epoxylignans and cyclolignans, together with some isomer compounds characteristics of these bioactive plants since the orbital trap provided high-resolution and accurate mass product ion spectra for untargeted analyses within a single run.

Combining full MS spectra and some diagnostic MSn experiments, forty-one compounds were detected in LdRe and LnRe resins, by ultrahigh resolution liquid chromatography Q-orbitrap MS analysis (UHPLC-PDA-Q-OT-MS). From them, the detected and characterized compounds were tentatively proposed as flavonoids, lignans and their derivatives. The generation of molecular formulas was performed using high resolution accurate mass analysis (HRAM) and matching with the isotopic pattern. In this work only negative mode of detection was used. Electrospray negative mode with energy of “0” or “5” EV is the most abundantly used method to detect phenolics. Compounds with a phenolics OH easily lose the proton in electrospray ionization, giving very good and diagnostic parent ions and fragments. Finally, analyses were confirmed using MS/MS data and comparing the fragments found with the literature data. The complete metabolome identification is showed below involving Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3, Table 1; and Supplementary Material Figure S2.

Figure 1.

UHPLC-MS (total ion current) chromatograms of LnRe (a) and LdRe (b) resins.

Figure 2.

Flavonoids, epoxylignans and cyclolignans characterized in LnRe and LdRe resins.

Figure 3.

Main NDGA and MNDGA lignans derivatives characterized in LnRe and LdRe resins.

Table 1.

Ultrahigh resolution liquid chromatography orbitrap MS analysis (UHPLC-PDA-MS) orbitrap mass spectral data of LdRe and LnRe resins.

Peak	TR (min.)	Tentative Identification	[M−H]−	UV Max nm	Theoretical Mass (m/z)	Measured Mass (m/z)	Accuracy (δppm)	MSn ions (δppm)
1	1.40	Isosulochrin	C17H15O7−	278–337	331.08123	331.08212	2.69	146.96791
2	3.65	Axillarin	C17H13O8	2890–340	345.06049	345.06143	1.28	146.96791
3	4.10	Diosmetin	C16H11O6−	270–344	299.05501	299.05597	3.19	271.06097
4	4.26–4.30	meso-(rel 7S,8S,7′R,8′R)-3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-7,7′-epoxylignan	C18H19O5−	233–284	315.12380	315.12381		267.06481; 187.07582; 165.05512; 137.02363; 109.02862
5	4.80	Isorhamnetin	C16H11O7−		315.04993	315.05084	2.89	299.09216
6	5.00	3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy 6,7′-Cyclolignan	C18H19O4−	233–284	299.12888	299.12872	3.13	241.05080; 190.92799
7	5.33	3 Methylluteolin	C16H11O6−	275–330	299.05501	299.05597	3.19	271.06097
8	5.65	Rhamnetin	C16H11O7−	256–367	315.04993	315.05099	3.38	299.09216
9	5.80	Tricin	C17H13O7−	256–367	329.06558	329.06644	2.60	285.0401
10	6.50	3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy 6,7′-cyclolignan isomer	C18H19O4−	233–284	299.12888	299.12872	3.13	243.06482; 189.09164; 149.0600; 123.0443
11	6.80	NDGA isomer	C18H19O4−	228–283	301.14344	301.14435	3.03	174.95743; 122.03708
12	6.90	Norisoguaiacin isomer	C19H21O4−	231–286	313.14453	313.14432	2.81	247.09711
13	7.40	NDGA	C18H21O4−	228–283	301.14344	301.14429	3.01	174.95743; 154.02631; 137.02362; 122.03708
14	7.94	NDGA isomer	C18H21O4−	228–283	301.14344	301.14471	3.06	243.06614; 122.0367
15	8.42	Kaempferide	C16H11O6−	269–358	299.05501	299.05594	3.09	285.04053; 255.0279
16	8.61	Norisoguaiacin	C19H21O4−	231–286	313.14453	313.14461	3.01	301.1446; 241.0504; 173.06022
17	8.85	Trihydroxy-6,7′cyclolignan	C19H18O3−	233–284	283.13397	283.06111		268.03041; 240.04212; 211.03951; 117.03852
18	9.15	(7S,8S,7′R,8′R)-3,3′,4′-trihydroxy-4-methoxy-7,7′-epoxylignan	C19H21O5−	230–283	329.13945	329.17551	2.34	301.14410; 263.12848
19	9.37	4-[4-(4- hydroxy-phenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-butyl]-benzene-1,2-diol	C18H21O3−	282	285.14852	285.14948	3.0	154.02643; 137.02362; 122.03652
20	9.75	3′-MNDGA	C19H23O4−	230–283	315.15909	315. 15981	1.99	300.13622; 285.11272; 177.09142; 149.06005; 122.03653.
21	10.06	4′-MNDGA	C19H23O4−	230–283	315.15909	315.15991	1.62	300.13626; 285.11282; 177.09142; 149.06001; 122.03653
22	10.36	Lavandulilkaempferol	C25H25O6−	272	421.16456	421.16541	1.99	301.144134
23	11.04	Unknown NDGA derivative	C27H29O6−	280	449.19587	449.19659	1.62	301.144261
24	11.48	Unknown NDGA derivative	C24H31O6−	280	415.21152	415.21222	1.69	301.14425;
25	11.71	Unknown NDGA derivative	C27H27O6−	280	447.18022	447.18079	1.27	301.14423
26	11.81	Dihydroguaiaretic acid	C20H25O4−	230–283	329.17474	329.17557	2.52	301.14410; 263.12848
27	12.07	Dihydroguaiaretic acid 4′-O-acetate	C22H27O5−	283	371.18530	371.18597	1.81	301.14420
28	12.4	Reduced NDGA derivative	C18H17O3−	283	281.11722	281.11813	3.24	301.14420
29	12.85	Unknown NDGA derivative	C25H25O5−	283	405.16965	405.17147	2.02	301.14420
30	12.61	Dihydroguaiaretic acid 4″-O-acetate	C22H27O5−	276–352	371.18530	371.18595	1.73	301.14420
31	13.11	NDGA isomer	C18H21O4−	283	301.14344	301.14429	2.82	174.95712; 122.03708
32	13.37	3″,4″,4′-Trymethyl NDGA 3′-acetate	C23H29O5−	277	385.20195	385.20175	2.02	301.14423
33	13.68	NDGA isomer	C18H21O4−	280	301.14344	301.14429	2.82	174.95743; 122.03708
34	14.00	3″,4″,3′-Trymethyl NDGA 4′-acetate	C23H29O5−	283	385.20195	385.20172	2.00	301.14426; 122.03667
35	14.19	Unknown NDGA derivative	C27H29O5−	283	433.20095	433.20142	1.07	301.14429
36	14.56	Unknown NDGA derivative	C26H33O6−	283	441.22717	441.22781	1.46	301.14429
37	14.83	Unknown NDGA derivative	C27H29O5−	283	433.20095	433.20157	1.07	301.14426
38	15.08	3′MNDGA 3″, 4′-diacetate	C24H31O5−	283	399.21660	399.21738	1.94	301.14426
39	15.45	4′MNDGA 3′, 4″-diacetate	C24H31O5−	283	399.21660	399.21729	1.71	301.14426
40	15.68	3′MNDGA 4″, 4′-diacetate	C24H31O5−	283	399.21660	399.21738	1.94	301.14429
41	19.19	Unknown	C24H23O3−	-	359.16427	359.16513	2.67	235.92734

Forty-one phenolics compounds were detected and tentatively identified by ultrahigh resolution liquid chromatography orbitrap MS analysis in LdRe and LnRe resins. Of these, one was a phenolic compound (1), eight wereflavonoids (2, 3, 5, 7 ,8, 9, 15 and 22) and twenty-nine tentatively proposed as lignans (4, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 40). From them, a significant number were assigned as NDGA and its derivatives, supported by molecular mass, fragmentation patterns, bibliographic references and databases as SciFinder, MassBank of North America (MoNA) and UHPLC-MS internal library. Finally, peak 41 was assigned as unknown. Peak 4, 13, 18, 19 and 20 were identified as meso-(rel 7S,8S,7′R,8′R)-3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-7,7′-epoxylignan; nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA); (7S,8S,7′R,8′R)- 3,3′,4′-trihydroxy-4-methoxy-7,7′-epoxylignan; (4-[4-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)- 2,3-dimethyl-butyl]-benzene-1,2-diol) and 3′ methyl-nordihydroguaiaretic acid (MNDGA) respectively by spiking experiments with available standards previously isolated [26]. In a similar way peak 21 was proposed as a 4′-MNDGA, an isomer of 20, supported by their identically measured accurate mass and major diagnostic MS ions [26].

The compounds 11, 14, 31 and 33 were tentatively identified as isomers of NDGA (13), from them, in the compounds 31 and 33; the parent ion (301.14429) produced the same major diagnostic MS ions at m/z 174.95743 and m/z 122.03708 confirming these proposed isomers. A synthetic route to the naturally occurring nordihydroguaiaretic acid and its non-meso isomer starting from the commercially available (3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) acetone has been reported [33]. On the other hand, peaks 26 with a at m/z 329.17551 was tentatively identified as meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid [34,35]; while [M−H]⁻ ion peak 28 with a [M−H]⁻ ion at m/z 281.11813 was tentatively identified as reduced NDGA derivative (Supplementary material).

Peaks 6 and 10 with a [M−H]⁻ ion at m/z 299.12872 were proposed as 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy 6,7′-cyclolignan isomers. Peak 12 and 16 with a [M−H]⁻ ion at m/z 313.14432 were assigned to norisoguaicin and its isomer, both compounds and other lignans have been previously isolated from L. divaricata, L. nitida and L. tridentate [34,35,36,37,38,39].

Peak 17 was proposed as trihydroxy-6,7´cyclolignan with a [M−H]⁻ ion at m/z 283.0611 [40]. Fourteen peaks including 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 32 and 34–40 were proposed as NDGA derivatives, showing all of them as major diagnostic MS ions between 301.14420 and 301.14429 Daltons. From them, peaks 27 and 30, both with a [M−H]⁻ ion at m/z 371.18595 were tentatively identified as dihydroguaiaretic acid acetates, (4′-O acetate and 4-O acetate respectively), which were isolated previously from L tridentata extracts [38,40,41]. Peaks 32 and 34 were tentatively proposed as the tri-methoxylated and acetylated isomers: 3″,4″,4′-trymethyl NDGA3′-acetate and 3″,4″,3′-trymethyl NDGA4′-acetate, with [M−H]⁻ ions at m/z 385.20175 and 385.20172 respectively, this is in concordance with tri-methoxylated NDGA derivatives previously isolated from the same source [38,40,41]. Peaks 38 and 40 producing the same [M−H]⁻ ion at m/z 399.21738 and peak 39 with a [M−H]⁻ ion at m/z 399.21729 yielded the same mayor diagnostic MS ion at m/z 301.14429, thorough losses of the substituent’s and thus the three compounds were proposed as MNDGA diacetate derivatives (3′Methyl NDGA 3″, 4′-diacetate, 4′Methyl NDGA 3′, 4″-diacetate and 3′Methyl NDGA 4″, 4′-diacetate, respectively). According to our knowledge, the isolation and identification of phenolics, flavonoids and lignans from extracts of L. divaricata and L. nitida have been reported in some previous works. From L. nitida collected in Chile, norisoguaicin16, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (13, NDGA) and ferulic acid have previously been reported [36]. Additionally, the antifungal bioassay-guided isolation of L. nitida resin (LnRe) led to the isolation of 4, 13, 16, 18, 20 and 21 [26]. Recently, from an ethanol-water extract of the species L. divaricata, L. nitida and L. cuneifolia, through a study by HPLC-MS in the negative mode, twelve phenolics compounds were characterized, including, quercetin-hexoside, quercetin-methyl ether hexoside and lignans (4, 6, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21) [39]. On the other hand, previous phytochemical investigation of the phenolics from L. divaricata led to the isolation and characterization of the lignans nor-dihydroguaiaretic acid (13), dihydroguaiaretic acid (26), norisoguaiacin (16), 3′-demethoxyisoguaiacin and several flavonoids, including kaempferol 3-methyl ether (isokaempferide), isorhamnetin (3) and luteolin 3′-methyl ether [42]. In this report, forty-one compounds were detected in LnRe resin by ultrahigh resolution liquid chromatography orbitrap MS analysis (UHPLC-PDA-OT-MS). From them, as far as we know, one phenolic compound (1), eight flavonoids (2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 15 and 22), and nineteen lignans (14, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 40) were reported here for the first time in these species, significantly updating the chemical composition of these interesting native plants.

3.2. Total Phenolics and Flavonoids Content; Antioxidant, Nematicidal and Antibacterial Activities

The yellow-brown resins of the two Larrea species showed a strong free radical scavenging in the DPPH assay, with EC50 values around 8.4 µg resin/mL (Table 2). These values were comparable to the activity shown by recognized antioxidant compounds such as catechin or quercetin. In the same way, the yellow-brown resins exhibited a strong effect in FRAP and TEAC trials. On the other hand, yellow-brown resins of the two Larrea presented a high content of TP, highlighting LnRe collected in the Andean mountains over 2500 m above sea level with a value of 459 mg GAE/g LnRe, of which approximately 8.8 percent correspond to flavonoids (40.8 mg QE/g LnRe) (Table 2). Additionally, both resins exhibited a strong inhibition of lipoperoxidation with LP values between 81 and 82% at 100 µg resin/mL compared to catechin, which showed 70% of LP at the same concentration [24]. Other Andean medicinal plants collected in the Andean region of the province of San Juan, located in the central west of Argentina, also showed strong antioxidant properties and high contents of phenolics compounds, which were characterized mainly by flavonoids, chalcones and phenolics of diverse structures [3,5,21].

Table 2.

Antioxidant properties and total phenolics and flavonoids content of LnRe and LdRe.

Assay	LnRe	LdRe
Content of phenols
Total phenolics(mg GAE/g resin)	459.9 ± 10.07	390.46 ± 6.08
Flavonoids (mg QE/g resin)	40.8 ± 0.8	24.7 ± 1.8
Antioxidant
DPPH (EC50 in µg resin/mL)	8.41 ± 0.04	8.42 ± 0.44
FRAP(mgTE/g resin)	1.94 ± 0.20	1.86 ± 0.16
TEAC (mgTE/g resin)	1.08 ± 0.07	1.09 ± 0.06
Percentage LP (at 100 µg resin/mL)	81.97 ± 0.11	81.03 ± 0.01

No significant differences were found between the three samples. ANOVA (analysis of variance) followed by Dunnett’s comparison test was used (significance p < 0.05).

Meloidogyne spp., which causes root-knot diseases in plants, is the most economically important plant-parasitic nematodes worldwide. Due to the harmful effects on humans and the environment, the chemical compounds that have been used, over decades, for the effective control of nematodes, have been losing application fields and opening the way to the need for new nematicides, friendly to the environment. Biopesticides and specifically bionematicides of botanical origin constitute a desirable component of pest management technology and practices [43]. The nematicidal activity of LnRe and LdRe against J2 M. incognita is shown in Table 3. Both resins displayed a less nematicidal activity at 72 h to three concentrations assayed.

Table 3.

Nematicidal activity of LnRe and LdRe resins againstJ2 M. incognita.

		% Mortality Corrected
Resins	Concentration
		24 h	48 h	72 h
	1	3.49 ± 3.24 a	4.77 ± 3.89 a	10.44 ± 1.37 ab
LnRe	2	5.52 ± 3.54 a	11.77 ± 3.27 ab	17.76 ± 2.27 bc
	3	6.47 ± 4.42 ab	11.13 ± 3.15 ab	8.67 ± 2.73 a
	1	9.81 ± 1.45 ab	16.23 ± 1.86 bcd	24.03 ± 1.53 cde
LdRe	2	3.95 ± 3.83 a	13.98 ± 1.65 bc	28.56 ± 2.27 cde
	3	5.91 ± 4.69 a	15.61 ± 2.91 bc	20.76 ± 1.64 cd

Mean percent between rows at each column with different letters are significantly different (p = 0.05) according to LSD Fisher.

Regarding the antibacterial activity, LdRe and LdRe showed a very strong activity against MSSA and MRSAwith a MIC values = 16 µg/mL (Table 4). The antimicrobial activity of medicinal plants is considered very interesting with MICs values < 100 μg/ mL for extracts and MIC values <10 μg/ mL for isolated compounds [44]. Additionally, LdRe showed activity against Streptococcus pyogenes-MQ4and LnRe was active against Streptococcus agalactiae (MIC = 62.5 μg/mL). In respect to Gram (−) bacteria, E. coli-MQ586 was more sensitive to both resins (MIC = 62.5 µg/mL), while these displayed a moderated antibacterial activity against E. coli ATCC 25922, E. coli MQ-11009, E. coli MQ 11068 and E. coli MQ-11062 (MICs values between 250 and 500 µg/mL). In a previous report, 3′methyl-nordihydroguaiaretic acid (MNDGA)20, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) 13 and a NDGA derivative 19, displayed strong activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum and Microsporum gypseum (MICs between 15.6 and 31.25 µg/mL). In the same study, the lignans 20 and 13 showed activities against clinical isolates of Candidas spp., Cryptococcus spp., T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes (MICs and MFCs between 31.25 and 62.5 µg/mL).

Table 4.

Antibacterial activity of LdRe and LnRe resins (minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) in µg resin/mL).

Bacterias	Larrea Resins				Reference Antibiotics
	LnRe		LdRe		Cefotaxime		Imipecil
Gram (+)	MIC	MBC	MIC	MBC	MIC	MBC	MIC	MBC
MSSA	16	32.5	16	32.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
MRSA	16	32.5	16	16	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
Staphylococcus aureus-MQ5097	250	250	250	250	0.8	1	1	1
Streptococcuspyogenes-MQ4	250	250	62.5	62.5	0.25	0.5	0,5	0.5
Streptococcus agalactiae	62.5	62.5	125	125	0.5	0.5	0,5	0.5
Gram (−)
Escherichiacoli ATCC 25922	1000	1000	250	500	1.9	1.9	0,5	1
E. coli-MQ11009	400	500	250	250	1	1	0,5	1
E. coli-MQ11068	500	500	250	500	1	1	1	1
E. coli-MQ11062	250	500	500	500	1	1	1	1.5
E. coli-MQ586	62.5	125	62.5	125	1	1	1.5	1.5

MSSA: Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923; MRSA: Methicillin-resistant. S. aureus ATCC 43300; MIC: Minimum inhibitory concentration, MBC: Minimum Bactericidal Concentration.

On the other hand, the combined use of plant extracts with commercial antibiotics is an alternative against microbial infections [45,46]. The potential of Larrea resins in combination with cefotaxime for the development of a new antimicrobial source useful for the treatment of infections associated to MSSA and MRSA, was evaluated using the checkerboard design (Figure S1). The results are showed in Table 5 and Figure 4. The combination of LdRe or LnRe with reference antibiotic cefotaxime showed an indifferent effect with FICI values = 1–1.25 (Equations (1) and (2). In addition, a moderated decrease of the individual MIC value of the commercial drug cefotaxime was observed (DRI = 2–4), as indicative of a greater adjuvant potential capacity for a given effect level, which may be due mainly to the polyphenols present in the Larrea resins [47,48]. This justifies the search for alternative therapies as the combination of commercial drugs and natural products.

Table 5.

Combinatory effects of LdRe and LnRe with cefotaxime. The results are showed as MIC and MIC combination (MICcomb; expressed in μg/mL), fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC), fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) and dose reduction index (DRI) values.

	MSSA						MRSA
	MIC	MICcomb	FIC	FICI	DRI	Effect	MIC	MICcomb	FIC	FICI	DRI	Effect
LdRe	32	16	0.5	1	2	Ind	32	32	1	1.25	4	Ind
Cef	1	0.5	0.5				0.5	0.125	0.25
LnRe	32	32	1	1.25	4	Ind	16	8	0.5	1	2	Ind
Cef	1	0.25	0.25				0.5	0,25	0.5

MSSA: Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923; MRSA: Methicillin-resistant S. aureus ATCC 43300; MIC: Minima Inhibitory Concentration; MICcomb: Minima Inhibitory Concentration combination; FIC: Fractional Inhibitory Concentration; FICI: Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index; DRI: Dose Reduction Index; Ind: indifference. Synergy (FICI ≤ 0.5), no interaction or indifference (FICI > 0.5–4.0) and antagonism (FICI > 4).

Figure 4.

Normalized Isobolograms of LdRe or LnRe with cefotaxime against Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (MSSA) (A,B) and normalized Isobolograms of LdRe or LnRe with cefotaxime against Methicilin- resistant S. aureus ATCC 43300 (MRSA), respectively (C,D). The discontinuous line represents the indifference line and the points the experimental combinations at different levels.

The results represented in the isobologram (Figure 4) agreed with those obtained by the checkerboard analysis. The additive effect was found to both species tested (MSSA and MRSA) due to that the points the experimental combinations are below the line of indifference. Therefore, the combination between resins (LdRe and LnRe) could be an excellent strategy to reduce the drug doses, and thus, achieve the resistance bacteria.

The broad spectrum of biological activities such as antimicrobials, antioxidants, inhibitors of several enzymes, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and others, whichhave been reported for extracts and infusions of aerial parts of most species of this genus, have been regularly associated with the presence and content of phenolics or lignans and their derivatives [6,7,8,9,10,11,12]. In a previous work, the bioassay-guided isolation of L. nitida resin (LnRe) led to the isolation of 3′ methyl-nordihydroguaiaretic acid (MNDGA)20 and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA)13 and compound 19(4-[4-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-2,3-dimethyl- butyl]-benzene-1,2-diol) as the compounds mainly responsible for the antifungal activity. Additionally, two epoxylignans: meso-(rel 7S,8S,7′R,8′R)-3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy- 7,7′-epoxylignan and compound 6 (7S,8S,7′S,8′S)-3,3′,4′-trihy droxy-4-methoxy-7,7′-epoxylignan were isolated [26]. Recently the compounds 13, 19 and 20 have been reported as marker compounds of synergistic mutual potentiation of antifungal activity of Zuccagnia punctata Cav. and L. nitida Cav. extracts in clinical isolates of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Additionally, in this previous work carried out in an Andean population in the center-west of Argentina, three marker compounds (13, 19 and 20) for L nitida were quantified over a year (February, May, September and November), highlighting their higher production in coincidence with the flowering period of the species, late spring and early summer (November and December) [11]. From the forty-one phenolics compounds detected and tentatively identified by UHPLC-ESI-OT-MS-MS in LdRe and LnRe resins, twenty-nine are lignans, mainly simple bisphenyl lignans and tricyclic lignans (cyclolignans and epoxylignans). The species belonging to the Larrea genus are rich in simple bisphenyl lignans and tricyclic lignans known as cyclolignans; those compounds support the pharmacological activities of extracts of this species as antiherpes, antioxidant, antifungal and anti-inflammatory. In the last decade, the strong activity of some lignans against the human immunodeficiency virus, human papilloma virus and cancer, their use in ameliorating neurodegenerative diseases and symptoms of aging has been reported. Additionally, molecular mechanisms underlying the antiviral and anticancer activities have been elucidated [40].

4. Conclusions

In this report, forty-one compounds were detected in LnRe resin by ultrahigh resolution liquid chromatography orbitrap MS analysis (UHPLC-PDA-OT-MS). From them, as far as we know, one phenolic compound, eight flavonoids and nineteen lignans are reported for the first time to this species, significantly updating the chemical composition of this interesting species. The results here reported support the recognized medicinal properties of these two recognized South American medicinal plants and on the other hand highlights them as a sustainable way of biomolecules of pharmacological interest. Additionally, relevant biological properties can be expected for these two species supported by the content and structural diversity mainly on the detection of bioactive lignans. The yellow-brown resins of the two Larrea showed a high content of TP, highlighting LnRe collected in the Andean mountains. This allows us to conclude that the resins from those wild species L divaricata and L nitida growing in Argentina represent a rich and sustainable source of antioxidants, mainly lignans. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of LdRe and LdRe showed a very strong activity against MSSA and MRSA. The combination between resins (LdRe and LnRe) with cefotaxime could be a potential strategy to reduce the drug doses, and in this way can be a potential alternative to reduce bacterial resistance. The new trend towards the use of natural extracts as pharmaceuticals rather than pure drugs opens a pathway for the development of a phytomedicine derived from resins of Larrea. This could be a promising pathway that needs to be intensively explored and developed in the near future.

Supplementary Materials

Are available online at https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/2/185/s1; Figure S1: Representative panel of Checkerboard design combining Larrea resins (LR) with Cefotaxime (Cef). GC stands for growth control. Dark circles show bacterial growth and white circles show no bacterial growth, Figure S2: Full orbitrap MS spectra and structures of representative compounds 13, 16, 20, 26 and 28 (a–e).

Author Contributions

M.J.S., B.L., G.E.F., and A.T. conceived and designed the experiments; J.G., S.M., M.P. and B.L., performed the antioxidant, nematicidal, antimicrobial, and total phenolics and flavonoids content experiments; M.J.S. and J.B. analyzed the data of HPLC/MS. All authors wrote the paper. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by CICITCA-UNSJ, PME-2015-0200 Argentina. M.J.S. and J.B. received financial support from Fondecyt (Grant 1180059).

Institutional Review Board Statement

The lipoperoxidation in erythrocytes protocol assay was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and is included in the approved project by CICIT-CA-UNSJ-Argentina (Project code 80020190100277SJ, Resolución N 0591-20-R-UNSJ) referred to the ethical and environmental safeguard, and to preserve the hygiene and safety conditions in the activities to be carried out in laboratories.

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the lipoperoxidation study

Data Availability Statement

Not applicable.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors do not have any conflict of interest.