Dietary supplements based on Teucrium chamaedrys L. subsp. chamaedrys aerial parts were banned, due to the hepatotoxicity of furan-containing neo-clerodane constituents. Indeed, the plant leaf content in phenolic compounds could be further exploited for their antioxidant capability. Accordingly, bio-guided fractionation strategies have been applied, obtaining seven partially purified extracts. These latter were chemically investigated through 1D and 2D NMR techniques and tested for their antiradical, reducing and cytotoxic capability. Data acquired highlighted that, through a simple phytochemical approach, a progressive neo-clerodane depletion occurred, while maximizing phenylethanoid glycosides in alcoholic fractions. Thus, although the plant cannot be used as a botanical remedy as such, it is suggested as a source of healthy compounds, pure or in mixture, to be handled in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and/or cosmeceutical sectors.
Keywords: NMR-based metabolomics; Teucrium chamaedrys L. subsp. chamaedrys; antioxidant activity; cytotoxicity; neo-clerodanes; phenylethanoid glycosides.