Bioactivity and Chemical Profile of Rubus idaeus L. Leaves Steam-Distillation Extract

The leaves of Rubus idaeus L., a by-product of the fruit food industry, are a known source of bioactive molecules, although the chemical composition has only been partially investigated. The main objective of this study was to examine the biological activities and the chemical composition of the extract of leaves of R. idaeus (RH), obtained by steam distillation (SD). The antioxidant capacity; the total phenolic content (TPC); the cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines; and the antibacterial activity, in addition to the study of the chemical fingerprinting, carried out by Gas/Chromatography-Mass-Spectrometry (GC/MS) and Headspace (HS)-GC/MS, were established. The extract showed a strong antioxidant capacity and a modest antibacterial activity against two bacterial strains, as well as significant cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines (Caco-2 and HL60) and being proliferative on healthy cells. Many of the GC-identified volatile molecules (1,8-cineol, β-linalool, geraniol, caryophyllene, τ-muurolol, citral, α-terpineol, 3- carene, α-terpinen-7-al, etc.) can explain most of the biological properties exhibited by the extract of R. idaeus L. The high biological activity of the RH and the high compatibility with the various matrices suggest good prospects for this extract, both in the food and cosmetic fields or in dietary supplements for improving human health.