Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima: A Valuable Food with High Added Health Benefits

The present study was conducted to evaluate a natural extract, obtained from the Beta vulgaris plant, for its phytochemical composition and its beneficial health effects. Therefore, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as identification and quantification of phenolic compounds by HPLC, were assessed in leaves' extract. Moreover, antioxidant activities were investigated using free radical scavenging tests, (ABTS(+) and DPPH+) and reducing power assay (FRAP) as well as ferrous ions' (Fe2+) chelating activity. The Antiglycation effect was also evaluated, using the BSA-fructose model, and the antidiabetic effect was determined by inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes. Additionally, the in vitro antitumor effect was quantified using the MTT assay, and the antibacterial activity was evaluated using the agar disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Both aqueous and methanolic extracts exhibited potential antioxidant capacity with a higher effect for the methanolic extract. Furthermore, the in vitro antitumor activity of the methanolic extracts exhibited potent cytotoxic effects against two breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7. Moreover, Beta vulgaris extracts inhibit not only alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, but also advanced glycation end-products' (AGEs) formation, which would prevent diabetes' complications. Beta vulgaris methanolic extract revealed also a high antibacterial effect against Proteus mirabilis and Bacillus subtilis. Taken together, these results revealed that Beta vulgaris leaves' extracts constitute a valuable food and natural source of bioactive molecules that could be used for the development of new, natural drugs against cancer and diabetes.