Characterization of flavonoids from Dryopteris erythrosora and evaluation of their antioxidant, anticancer and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities

The profiles and bioactivities of flavonoids extracted from Dryopteris erythrosora were investigated. The total flavonoid content in full plant of D. Erythrosora is about 14.33%. The main flavonoids in D. Erythrosora were identified as gliricidin 7-O-hexoside, apigenin7-O-glucoside, quercetin 7-O-rutinoside, quercetin 7-O-galactoside, keampferol 7-O-gentiobioside, keampferol-3-O-rutinoside, myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside and quercitrin by means of HPLC-DAD–ESI-MS. Flavonoids (0.36   mg/ml) extract from D. erythrosora showed similar 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH ), 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical (ABTS ), superoxide anion scavenging potential and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) with that of rutin (0.80   mg/ml). However, the antioxidant power by FRAP assay of 0.36   mg/ml flavonoids extract from D. erythrosora was much weaker than that of 0.80   mg/ml rutin. Moreover, the flavonoids extract from D. erythrosora showed obvious cytotoxic effects on A549 cells. The antioxidant activities of flavonoids extracts from 69 ferns showed a significant reciprocal proportion to the total flavonoids contents. The flavonoids extract from D. erythrosora exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition against acetylcholinesterase. Moreover, the anticancer activity slightly increased with improving antioxidant potential of fern flavonoids. Fern flavonoids are excellent function foods.