Assessment of Mineral and Phenolic Profiles and Their Association with the Antioxidant, Cytotoxic Effect, and Antimicrobial Potential of Lycium chinense Miller

This study aimed at investigating theLycium chinenseMiller leaf extract mineral and phenolic compound profiles as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. We determined the leaf extract mineral composition, identified its major mineral components, and quantified secondary metabolites. We also measured the leaf extract antioxidant potential and found that it varies in a concentration-dependent manner. We observed a significant and higher positive correlation between DPPH and ABTS assays compared with the total phenolic and flavonoid content. Furthermore, our assay results positively correlated with several observed acids, indicating their strong association with theL. chinenseantioxidant potential. Our cytotoxic assay revealed weak toxicity at higher tested concentrations. Our MIC assay showed that the 80% methanol extract effectively inhibited the growth ofEscherichia coliCastellani and Chalmers (ATCC35150). The 625-ppm leaf extract completely suppressed the growth ofStaphylococcus aureusRosenbach (ATCC13150),Bacillus cereus(ATCC 14579), andHelicobacter pylori(ATCC43504). These results allow us to understand the indigenous medicinal value ofL. chinense. Our study suggests that theL. chinenseleaf extract phenolic compounds possess a good antioxidant activity against free radicals and are effective antimicrobial agents. Finally, the presence and high level of diverse minerals suggest the potential ofL. chinensefor nutraceutical and functional food applications.