Variations in the essential oil composition from different parts of Coriandrum sativum L. cultivated in Tunisia

Essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from different organs (flowers, leaves, stems and roots) of Tunisian coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) was analyzed. GC and GC-MS analysis enabled us to identify 64 compounds and revealed great qualitative and quantitative differences between the analyzed parts. In all organs, the main compound was (E)-2-dodecenal, followed by (E)-2-tridecenal, gamma-cadinene, (Z)-myroxide, neryl acetate and eugenol. Multivariate analysis (PCA) revealed a high similarity in the essential oils composition between upper leaves and flowers in one hand and basal leaves, roots and stems on the other hand. Further, it has been reported an organ-dependant distribution of essential oil compounds.     

一氧化氮参与盐胁迫下长春花酚类代谢的调控研究

为研究外源一氧化氮(NO)调控盐胁迫下长春花中酚类化合物的响应,采用液相色谱—质谱联用(LCMS)技术靶向分析梯度浓度硝普纳(SNP)处理对盐胁迫下长春花幼苗根、茎、花、叶4个部位中酚类化合物组分及含量水平的变化。结果共鉴定出L-苯丙氨酸和18种酚类物质,C6C1类5种、C6C3类5种、C6C3C6类8种,其中原儿茶酸、绿原酸、槲皮素在长春花根、茎、花、叶4个部位中均存在;不同浓度SNP处理后长春花不同部位酚类化合物响应积累明显不同,其中C6C1和C6C3小分子酚酸类化合物主要积累在根和茎中,C3C6C3类主要富集在花和叶中;L-苯丙氨酸在茎、叶中相对含量较高,盐胁迫下茎中含量显著升高,且随外源NO浓度增大呈下降趋势。外源NO影响盐胁迫下植物器官中酚类化合物的积累和变化,其中根和茎响应敏感,从种类和相对含量的角度,茎和叶更适合检测酚类化合物。     

Production of caffeic,chlorogenic and rosmarinic acids in plants and suspension cultures of Glechoma hederacea

Glechoma hederacea L. (Lamiaceae) is a perennial plant, which is distributed widely in Europe, Asia and America. Important anti-oxidant compounds are caffeic acid esters like rosmarinic acid (RA) and chlorogenic acid (CA). Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and rosmarinic acid synthase (RAS, 4-coumaroyl-CoA:hydroxyphenyllactic acid hydroxycinnamoyltransferase) contribute to the formation of RA. Our aim in this study was to follow the accumulation of RA, CA and caffeic acid in a suspension culture of G. hederacea. Growth, medium and secondary metabolism parameters were determined during a culture period of 14 days. The maximal PAL activity was observed on day 5 and the maximal RAS activity on day 8. The RA content was exceedingly high and reached 25.9% of the dry mass on day 7. Caffeic acid and CA contents remained rather low. Furthermore, the presence of RA, CA and caffeic acid and the expression patterns of RAS and hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:shikimate hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (HST), an important enzyme of monolignol formation, in leaves, flowers, stems and roots of naturally grown G. hederacea were assessed. The expression of RAS and HST genes was detectable in all organs except roots. Flowers accumulated 12.5% RA in their dry mass, leaves, stems and roots about 1%. CA was highest in leaves (2.0%), while it was at 1.6% in flowers, 1.3% in stems and almost undetectable in roots. The caffeic acid content remained at or below 0.4% of the dry weight in all organs.     

Identification and quantification of three active auxins in different tissues of Tropaeolum majus

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and phenylacetic acid (PAA) were identified as endogenous compounds with auxin activity in nasturtium ( Tropaeolum majus L.) by full scan gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The endogenous concentrations of the three auxins were measured by GC-selected ion monitoring-MS and isotope dilution analysis using stable labelled isotopes. PAA was present at concentrations about 10- to 100-fold lower than IAA, whereas IBA was found to be in the same concentration range as IAA. Free IAA was highest in roots followed by young leaves. IBA was also highest in the roots, and relatively high concentrations were found in young leaves and flowers. The distribution of PAA was quite different from that found for IBA. No PAA could be detected in young leaves and flowers, and in all other tissues studied the concentrations were well below those of the other two auxin compounds. The presence of a nitrilase gene family and nitrilase activity in extracts from T. majus suggests that PAA might be synthesized by the nitrilase pathway using benzylglucosinolate as precursor.     

Antimicrobial activity of fractions and compounds from Calophyllumbrasiliense (Clusiaceae/Guttiferae)

Calophyllum brasiliense (Clusiaceae/Guttiferae) is a native Brazilian medicinal plant traditionally used against several diseases, including infectious pathologies. Crude methanolic extracts (CME) and two fractions, denoted non-polar (soluble in chloroform) and polar (nonsoluble in chloroform), were prepared from different parts of the plant (roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits) and studied. The following compounds were isolated and tested against pathogenic bacteria and yeasts by determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC): brasiliensic acid (1), gallic acid (2), epicatechin (3), protocatechuic acid (4), friedelin (5) and 1,5-dihydroxyxanthone (6). The results indicated that all the parts of the plant exhibited antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, which are selectively inhibited by components of C. brasiliense. No activity was observed against Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts tested. Regarding the isolated compounds, substance 4 showed antimicrobial activity against all the tested microorganisms, whereas compound 6 exhibited antimicrobial activity only against Gram-positive bacteria. The results from the current study confirm and justify the popular use of this plant to treat infectious processes.     

Resource allocation in different parts of juvenile mountain birch plants: effect of nitrogen supply on seedling phenolics and growth

The composition and concentrations of phenolic compounds were studied in the first true leaves, cotyledons, stems and roots of 2.5-week-old seedlings of mountain birch ( Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii ). The differences in secondary compounds among these plant parts were both qualitative and quantitative. In all parts, condensed tannins accounted for more than 50% of the phenolics. In the first true leaves and cotyledons, chlorogenic acid was the most abundant of the HPLC phenolics. The main components in stems were (+)-catechins and rhododendrins whereas in roots, the main components were ellagitannins. The seedlings were grown at three levels of nitrogen supply (very low-N, low-N, moderate-N), and the effect of nitrogen on concentrations of phenolic compounds was studied in all plant parts. The dry weight of all plant parts, except the roots, increased with increased nitrogen. In all parts, the concentration of condensed tannins was higher at lower levels of nitrogen than at moderate-N. The concentrations of total HPLC phenolics and also those of the compound groups of HPLC phenolics were, however, affected only in the first true leaves and roots. The concentrations in the first true leaves were generally higher in seedlings grown at very low-N and low-N than in seedlings grown at moderate-N. The concentrations in roots were highest at low-N. Not all compounds responded to nitrogen supply in the same manner. The changes in concentrations cannot be exclusively interpreted as changes in the accumulation of phenolic compounds, due to dilution caused by the increase in biomass in better nitrogen availability. There were differences in carbon allocation between condensed tannins and HPLC phenolics in seedlings grown at different nitrogen levels.     

UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HR-MS-Based Metabolomics for Profiling the Sida rhombifolia Metabolites with Different Plant Organs and Cultivation Ages

Plant organs and cultivation ages can result in different compositions and concentration levels of plant metabolites. The metabolite profile of plants can be determined using liquid chromatography. This study determined the metabolite profiles of leaves, stems, and roots of Sida rhombifolia at different cultivation ages at 3, 4, and 5 months post-planting (MPP) using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The results identified that 41 metabolites in S. rhombifolia extract for all plant organs and cultivation ages. We successfully identified approximately 36 (leaves), 22 (stems), and 18 (roots) compounds in all extract. Using principal component analysis (PCA) with peak area as the variable, we clustered all sample extracts based on plant organs and cultivation ages. As a result of PCA, S. rhombifolia extracts were grouped according to plant organs and cultivation ages. In conclusion, a clear difference in the composition and concentration levels of metabolites was observed in the leaves, stems, and roots of S. rhombifolia harvested at 3-, 4-, and 5-MPP.     

Simultaneous RP-HPLC-PDA-RI separation and quantification of pinitol content in Sesbania bispinosa vis-à-vis harvesting age

Sesbania bispinosa belongs to the family Fabaceae contains appreciable percentage of antidiabetic cyclitol known as (+)-pinitol. A rapid high-performance liquid chromatography method has been developed for estimating the pinitol content in methanol extracts of S. bispinosa (roots, stems, leaves, flowers and pods) with respect to its harvesting age. Chromatographic separation was carried out on XBridge Amide column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 3.5 μm coating) using isocratic elution of solvent system comprising water: acetonitrile (80:20) and water: acetonitrile (30:70) with 0.2% triethylamine at 30^°C. The RP-HPLC-PDA-RI and LC-MS/MS analyses have shown significant variations of pinitol content in roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and pods extracts of S. bispinosa with respect to a particular harvesting age. At pre-fruiting stage, the highest percentage of pinitol was detected in all the parts of the plant extracts (roots: 2.72%, stems: 2.81%, leaves: 2.32% and pods: 3.92%). Therefore, it is recommended to harvest the plant at pre-fruiting stage for getting highest amounts (0.16%) of total pinitol. As a result, the pinitol content might be employed as a reference marker to decide the harvesting age of S. bispinosa.     

Variation of stilbene glucosides in bark extracts obtained from roots and stumps of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.)

Acetone-soluble compounds found in different root zones and stumps of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst), which were grown on either peatland or a mineral soil site, were studied. Samples from stumps and roots of different sizes and ages were collected a day after the trees were felled. The wood and bark of stumps and three zones of the roots were separated and extracted with acetone in an ultrasonic bath. Extracts were silylated and analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The stilbene glucosides astringin and isorhapontin were major compounds in the spruce bark samples. The resveratrol glucoside piceid and the flavonoid catechin were also extracted from spruce bark. We also found the lignan hydroxymatairesinol in some wood extracts. Total concentrations of stilbene glucosides in bark of stumps and different root zones varied between 0.53 and 8.29 % (w/w, dry weight) with isorhapontin being the major compound. Isorhapontin concentrations were highest in the spruce samples grown on mineral soil. The bark of the roots close to the stem is a rich source of stilbenes for commercial utilisation.     

Comparison of the total antioxidant content of 30 widely used medicinal plants of New Mexico

Teas made from medicinal plants are commonly used by a majority of the inhabitants of New Mexico and Mexico to treat various ailments including infections, arthritis, heart disorders, headaches, fever, asthma and menstrual pain. However, little is known about the identity or chemical nature of the bioactive substances and compounds responsible for the therapeutic effects of the teas made from the leaves, seeds, flowers stems, and roots of these medicinal plants. Some of the beneficial effects of these teas may be attributable to antioxidants contained in the medicinal plants from which they are brewed. In the present study we collected 30 medicinal plants that are widely used in the Rio Grande Valley and, using a two-stage Trolox based assay, analyzed the total antioxidant capacity of aqueous extracts prepared from these plants. The antioxidant content of the aqueous extracts was substantial, ranging from 27 to 972 micromol Trolox equivalent per gram dry weight. An extract of the leaves of the plant Ilex paraguensis (Mate leaf) contained the highest amount of antioxidant, followed by the flowers of the Rosa sp. (Rosa de Castillo, 804 micromol/g), the bark of Chinchona sp. (Copalquin, 692 micromol/g), Rumex hymenosepalus stems (Cana Agria, 672 micromol/g) and the leaves of Marrubium vulgare (Mastranzo, 560 micromol/g). The plants that had the lowest antioxidant capacity were the seeds of Linum lewissii (Linasa, 29 micromol/g) and Yucca sp. plant root (Amole, 27 micromol/g). It will be useful to further analyze those plants that contain the most antioxidant activity in order to identify the active principles.     

The effect of different solvents and number of extraction steps on the polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of basil leaves (Ocimum basilicum L.) extracts

The objectives of this study were to determine best conditions for the extraction of phenolic compounds from fresh, frozen and lyophilized basil leaves. The acetone mixtures with the highest addition of acetic acid extracted most of the phenolic compounds when fresh and freeze-dried material have been used. The three times procedure was more effective than once shaking procedure in most of the extracts obtained from fresh basil leaves – unlike the extracts derived from frozen material. Surprisingly, there were not any significant differences in the content of phenolics between the two used procedures in the case of lyophilized basil leaves used for extraction. Additionally, the positive correlation between the phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity of the studied extracts has been noted. It is concluded that the acetone mixtures were more effective than the methanol ones for polyphenol extraction. The number of extraction steps in most of the cases was also a statistically significant factor affecting the yield of phenolic extraction as well as antioxidant potential of basil leaf extracts.     

Comparative analysis of the chemical profile of wild and cultivated populations of Corydalis saxicola by high-performance liquid chromatography

Studies on the simultaneous determination and chemical fingerprinting of alkaloids in Corydalis saxicola Bunting. (Yanhuanglian) were performed for authentication purposes. Ninety samples prepared from different parts of C. saxicola, including whole plants, roots, stems, leaves and flowers, from wild and cultivated populations, were submitted to quantitative determination and fingerprint analysis. Five major alkaloids, namely, tetradehydroscoulerine, dehydroapocavidine, dehydroisoapocavidine, coptisine and dehydrocavidine, were quantitatively analysed by reversed-phase HPLC with acceptable recoveries (>98.2%). Chemical fingerprinting of C. saxicola was established and involved 11 markers. The results indicated that there were no obvious differences between the chemical profiles of wild and of cultivated C. saxicola populations, and that the mean alkaloid contents of the five marker compounds in cultivated populations were significantly higher than those of the wild plants. The highest content of total alkaloids (up to 28.8 mg/g) was found in roots of C. saxicola. The total alkaloids of the leaves were approximately 50% of those of roots, suggesting that the leaves may be employed as an alternative source of alkaloids. Chemical fingerprints and quantitative HPLC analysis will have a positive impact on the conservation and cultivation of this medicinal plant.     

Investigating the antiangiogenic potential of Rumex vesicarius (humeidh), anticancer activity in cancer cell lines and assessment of developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos

Recent trends in anticancer therapy is to use therapeutic agents which not only kill the cancer cell, but are less toxic to surrounding normal cells/tissue. One approach is to cut the nutrient supply to growing tumor cells, by blocking the formation of new blood vessels around the tumor. As the phytochemicals and botanical crude extracts have proven their efficacy as natural antiangiogenic agents with minimum toxicities, there is need to explore varieties of medicinal plants for novel antiangiogenic compounds.Rumex vesicarius L. (Humeidh), is an annual herbal plant with proven medicinal values. The antiangiogenic potential, and developmental toxicity of humeidh in experimental animal models has never been studied before. The crude extracts were prepared from the roots, stems, leaves and flowers of Rumex vesicarius L. in methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-hexane. The developmental toxicity screening in zebrafish embryos, has revealed that Rumex vesicarius was not toxic to zebrafish embryos. The chloroform stem extract showed significant level of antiangiogenic activity in zebrafish angiogenic assay on a dose dependent manner. Thirty five (35) bioactive compounds were identified by gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry (GC–MS) analysis in the stem extract of Rumex vesicarius. Propanoic acid, 2-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]-, trimethylsilyl ester, Butane, 1,2,3-tris(trimethylsiloxy), and Butanedioic acid, bis(trimethylsilyl) ester were identified as major compound present in the stem of R. vasicarius.The anticancer activity of roots, stem, leaves and flowers crude extract was evaluated in human breast cancer (MCF7), human colon carcinoma (Lovo, and Caco-2), human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines. Most of the crude extracts did not show significant level of cytotoxicity in tested cancer cells line, except, chloroform extract of stem which exhibited strong anticancer activity in all tested cancer cells with IC₅₀ values in micro molar range.Based on these results, it is recommended that formulation prepared from R. vesicarius can further be tested in clinical trials in order to explore its therapeutic potential as an effective and safe natural anticancer product.     

Benzopyrans in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hypericum polyanthemum</Emphasis> Klotzsch ex Reichardt cultured in vitro

Hypericum polyanthemum Klotzsch ex Reichardt, an endemic species of Southern Brazil, was micropropagated on MS medium supplemented with 1.78 μM BAP. Shoot proliferation and rooting was achieved on hormone-free medium and plantlets survived acclimatization. The bioactive compounds: 6-isobutyryl-5,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-benzopyran (HP1), 7-hydroxy-6-isobutyryl-5-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-benzopyran (HP2) and 5-hydroxy-6-isobutyryl-7-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-benzopyran (HP3) were quantified in the leaves, stems and roots of propagated and acclimatized plantlets and compared with the field-grown plants. The HPLC analysis revealed that the three benzopyrans are accumulated in the aerial parts and the concentration varied with the age of the plant whereas the roots were capable of accumulating only HP3. Greatest yield of HP1 (7.12 mg/g DW) was quantified in the leaves of the acclimatized plantlets, whereas the flowers of the plants from natural habitat displayed higher amounts of HP2 (11.04 mg/g DW) and HP3 (13.99 mg/g DW).     

Characterization of volatile constituents of Scaligeria tripartita and studies on the antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from stems and leaves, fruits and roots of Scaligeria tripartita oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 38 compounds were identified ranging 89-94% of the oil samples. Geijerene was found as a main compound in the oils of the stems and leaves (37%) and fruits (55%), whereas epoxypseudoisoeugenol angelate (37%) was found as a main compound in the root oil. Oils were subsequently evaluated for their antimalarial, antimicrobial against human pathogenic bacteria or fungi and antifungal activities against plant pathogens. Antifungal activity of Scaligeria oils was observed against the strawberry anthracnose-causing fungal plant pathogens Colletotrichum acutatum, C. fragariae and C. gloeosporioides using the direct overlay bioautography assay. Chemotaxonomically important pure compounds indicated in the bioautography assay were subsequently evaluated in a 96-well microdilution broth assay. The performance of overpressured layer chromatography (OPLC) and TLC for the analysis of Scaligeria essential oils was also compared.     

Quantitative analysis by HPLC-MS2 of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid adonifoline in Senecio scandens

A quantitative method using HPLC-MS(2) has been developed for the determination of adonifoline, one of the retronecine-type hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don., a traditional Chinese herb. Using an orthogonal design test, a simple and rapid sample extraction method was developed. HPLC analysis was conducted using a C(18) column as stationary phase and a mixture of acetonitrile and aqueous formic acid as mobile phase. Good linearity for adonifoline was found in the concentration range 0.12-4.18 microg/mL, and the HPLC-MS/MS method was shown to be appropriate, in terms of sensitivity, precision and reproducibility. The quantities of adonifoline in extracts of 18 plant samples from different collection sources and from different parts (flowers, leaves, thick stems, slim stems and roots) of S. scandens were determined using the newly developed HPLC/MS(2) analysis.     

Volatiles from different organs of Unxia camphorata L. f. growing wild in the Amazon

The essential oils obtained from fresh leaves, flowers, roots and stems of Unxia camphorata collected in the rainy and dry seasons in the state of Pará, were examined by GC and GC/MS. The highest oil yields were observed from the samples collected at the dry season (flowers: 0.6%, leaves: 0.6%, stems: 0.3%, roots: 0.4%). All parts of the plant were rich in α-phellandrene, with non-significant changes during the rainy and dry seasons (flowers: 61.9–53.7%, leaves: 18.3–17.4%, stems: 68.3–72.8%, roots: 51.9–48.3%). In the leaf oil, the monoterpenoid camphor was the largest component (rainy season: 28.5%, dry season: 28.8%). In the leaf oil, the high amount of α-phellandrene was followed by methylthymol (rainy season: 14.1%, dry season: 13.1%). Depending on the plant part studied, these oils can be characterized by α-phellandrene, camphor/α-phellandrene/camphene, or α-phellandrene/methylthymol type.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of volatile compounds of Tamarix boveana (Tamaricaceae)

The chemical composition of the Tamarix boveana volatile oils obtained from the whole aerial part, flowers, leaves and stems by steam distillation was analysed using gas chromatograph (GC)-flame ionization detectors (FID) and GC-MS. Sixty-two components were identified. Hexadecanoic acid (18.14%), docosane (13.34%), germacrene D (7.68%), fenchyl acetate (7.34%), Benzyl benzoate (4.11%) were found to be the major components in the whole aerial parts. This composition differed according to the tested part: 2.4 Nonadienal was the main compound in the flowers (12.13%) while germacrene D was the major component in leaves (31.43%) and hexadecanoic acid in the stems (13.94%). To evaluate in vitro antimicrobial activity, all volatile oils were tested against six Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and four fungi. The T. boveana volatile oils exhibited an interesting antibacterial activity against all strains tested except Pseudomonas aeruginosa but no antifungal activity was detected.     

Optimization of extraction method for LC–MS based determination of phenolic acid profiles in different Impatiens species

The main aim of presented study was the comparison of various extraction methods for the quantitative and qualitative analysis (LC-ESI–MS/MS) of phenolic acids present in extracts obtained from leaves, flowers, and roots of Impatiens glandulifera. The accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) at three temperature ranges (80° C, 100° C, and 120° C), ultrasound assisted extraction (USAE) at 60° C, and traditional extraction in Soxhlet apparatus were used. Taking into account the extraction yield, and the diversity of the individual compounds, ultrasound assisted extraction proved to be the most efficient method, and it was used to determine the content of phenolic acids in leaves of four other Impatiens species, including I. balsamina, I. noli-tangere, I. parviflora, and I. walleriana. Eleven phenolic acids were identified in all examined species. These were protocatechuic, gentisic, 4- hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, trans-caffeic, syringic, trans-p-coumaric, trans- and cis-ferulic, salicylic, and 3-hydroxycinnamic acids. In the extract from the leaves of I. balsamina and I. walleriana, gallic and cis-p-coumaric acids were found additionally. The most abundant compounds in all examined extracts were protocatechuic and 3-hydroxycinnamic acids. The latest acid was found in the highest yield in I. noli-tangere (266.12 μg/g DW). In the leaves of I. glandulifera a great amount of 4-hydroxybenzoic (41.44 μg/g DW), vanillic (61.50 μg/g DW), and trans-p-coumaric (58.42 μg/g DW) acids was also observed. Our results indicate that protocatechuic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, trans-p-coumaric, trans-ferulic, and 3-hydroxycinnamic acids were most characteristic of Impatiens species.Additionally, various phenolic-rich extracts from leaves, flowers, and roots of Impatiens glandulifera were tested for antioxidant activity. The highest antiradical activity was detected for roots using Soxhlet extraction (EC50 = 0.055 mg [DE/ml]).The study demonstrated that members of the genus Impatiens, and in particular Impatiens glandulifera, and Impatiens noli-tangere, contain significant amounts of phenolic acids. In addition, extracts from various parts of I. glandulifera could be interesting as novel sources of natural antioxidants.     

Variation in anthocyanin and essential oil composition and their antioxidant potentialities during flower development of Borage (Borago officinalis L.)

The aim of this study was to examine the chemical composition and antioxidant activities of the essential oils and anthocyanin of Borago officinalis flowers. At the flowering stage, the essential oil yield in Korba (0.95 ± 0.03%) was higher than that in Beja (0.29 ± 0.03%, w/w). The essential oil composition was characterized by high proportions of (E,E)-decadienal, the main compound of monoterpene aldehydes class. The reverse phase–high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis indicated that flower anthocyanins were extracted and analysed for the first time and petunidin 3,5 diglucoside (58.8% in Korba and 54.93% in Beja) was the major anthocyanin followed by delphinidin 3,5 diglucoside (36.45% in Korba and 44.45% in Beja). During the development of borage flower, anthocyanin yield increased significantly (P < 0.05) from budding to full flowering stages in the two studied regions. Antioxidant activity of anthocyanin extracts and essential oil followed the same trend as anthocyanin and essential oil yields in Korba and Beja regions. In all tests, anthocyanin extracts of borage flowers showed better antioxidant activity than essential oils. A notable variability was found among the anthocyanin and essential oil concentrations and their antioxidant activities between the two studied regions, indicating a strong influence of the degree of maturity on metabolite production.