Isolation of alkaloids from Papaver umbonatum Boiss tertiary alkaloid extract, and assessment of antibacterial and antioxidant activities

Papaver umbonatum Boiss was investigated for its alkaloid profile, antibacterial and antioxidant activities. The alkaloids were isolated using preparative TLC and 1H-NMR analysis revealed the presence of isopavine and promorphinane as the major alkaloids. O-methylflavinantine, a promorphine-type alkaloid, was obtained as a minor component, and it is reported for the first time in the genus Papaver. The antibacterial activity (MIC and antibiofilm) of the tertiary alkaloid extract was assayed on Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive). The antioxidant activity of the tertiary alkaloid extract was evaluated using the DPPH free radical. The extract produced minimum antibiofilm activity of 625 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL on B. subtilis and E. faecalis, respectively. The tertiary alkaloid extract demonstrated a better antioxidant activity at higher concentrations when compared to the reference standard (citric acid). These results demonstrated that P. umbonatum is a potential source of valuable alkaloids that could be investigated further for medicinal applications.