Carotenoid and Phenolic Profiles and Antioxidant and Anticholinesterase Activities of Leaves and Berries of Phytolacca acinosa

Phytolacca acinosa is a perennial plant commonly known as "pokeberry" and is used as a leafy vegetable. However, the composition and medicinal properties of the plant are not known. This study reports the plant's carotenoids and phenolic composition and their in vitro medicinal properties, like antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities. Phenolics and carotenoids were identified and quantified using HPLC-DAD. Chromatography revealed 21 carotenoids and 4 chlorophylls. The major carotenoids were 13′-Z-antheraxanthin, 13′-Z-neoxanthin, dinoxanthin, all-E-lutein, 9-Z-lutein, neolutein A, and all-E-β-carotene. Only 18 carotenoids showed significant differences between the berries and leaves. Similarly, a total of 26 phenolic compounds in both the leaves and berries were identified and quantified. The major phenolic compounds in both leaves and berries were quercetin-3-glucoside, quercetin-3-rutinoside, malvidin-3-(6″-coumaroyl)-5-diglucoside, and delphinidin-3,5-diglucoside. There was a significant difference in the amounts of these four phenolic compounds. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were higher in both the leaves and berries. The berries inhibited acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, DPPH, and ABTS considerably better than the leaves. In conclusion, the leaves and berries of P. acinosa were higher in phenolics and carotenoids and can be utilized as a functional food.