Phytochemistry and Wound-Healing, Enzyme-Inhibitory, and Antifungal Activities of the Wild Forage Legume Lotus rectus L.

Lotus rectus L. is an underexplored forage legume with reported traditional uses in skinrelated conditions. This study aimed to characterize the phytochemical profile of its aqueous leaf extract (LRAE) and to explore its bioactivity in vitro. Phytochemical characterization was carried out using spec...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: González Vázquez, Manuel, Quílez Guerrero, Ana María, Zuzarte, Mónica, Salgueiro, Lígia, Alves-Silva, Jorge, Puerta Vázquez, Rocío de la
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Sevilla (US)
Repositorio:idUS. Depósito de Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:idus________::8349486c591d80615431dbbf601c0117
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/11441/185916
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15091367
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Collagenase
Dermatophytes
Flavonols
Lotus rectus
Proanthocyanidins
Reactive oxygen species
Tyrosinase
Wound-healing
Xanthine oxidase
Descripción
Sumario:Lotus rectus L. is an underexplored forage legume with reported traditional uses in skinrelated conditions. This study aimed to characterize the phytochemical profile of its aqueous leaf extract (LRAE) and to explore its bioactivity in vitro. Phytochemical characterization was carried out using spectrophotometric assays and UHPLC-HRMS/MS. Cytocompatibility was assessed by the resazurin assay in HaCaT keratinocytes and NIH/3T3 fibroblasts, while wound-healing potential was evaluated using a scratch assay. Enzyme inhibitory activities (xanthine oxidase, collagenase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase) were determined spectrophotometrically. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using chemical assays (DPPH and ABTS), biologically relevant reactive oxygen species, and metal chelation assays. Antifungal activity was evaluated against clinically relevant yeasts and dermatophytes using standardized macrodilution methods. LRAE showed a relatively high content of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, particularly flavonol glycosides. The extract was cytocompatible at all tested concentrations and showed an increased closure of the scratched area in vitro. It exhibited antioxidant activity and inhibited xanthine oxidase, while more moderate effects were observed for collagenase and tyrosinase, and minimal activity was detected against hyaluronidase. Antifungal activity was limited, with modest effects observed only against selected dermatophytes at high concentrations. Overall, these findings provide preliminary in vitro evidence of bioactivity associated with the traditional use of this species, supporting further investigation to better characterize the biological relevance of this understudied species