Membrane processes application on the Symphytum officinale and Geranium robertianum extracts concentration to obtain high antioxidative activity compounds

The paper reports the successful application of membranes processes to obtain the good quality extracts with compounds of high antioxidative activity and therapeutic value. This study provided investigations on the phenolic compounds from two plant species used in Romanian ethno-medicine and evaluated the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. Three extracts prepared from Geranium robertianum and Symphytum officinale were concentrated by microfiltration and ultrafiltration. The levels of phenolic compounds and flavonoids were determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy and HPLC. The freeradical scavenging activity of concentrated extracts was determined by DPPH method. The preliminary tests of cytotoxic activity for the concentrated extracts have been carried out on human epidermoid laryngeal carcinoma cell line (Hep-2p) and normal monkey kidneys cells (RM). The results showed that all concentrated extracts had a very low cytotoxicity against healthy cells, but a significant cytotoxic effect on Hep-2p tumor cells. The concentrated extracts have a high antioxidant activity (% DPPH inhibition > 80%).