# Biocompounds and Bioactivities of Selected Greek Boraginaceae Seeds
## 4 Discussion
### Phenolic Compound Profiles  
The identified compounds had high molar extinction coefficients at 280, 300, and 320 nm, which allowed the chromatographic separations to be monitored (Supplementary Table S3). Compounds were identified by comparing the absorption spectra of each peak identified in Boraginaceae seed extracts with those of pure standards and retention time (Rt). The precision/injection repeatability test showed good precision in peak area (standard deviation \(<\) 1%) and peak retention time (\(\pm\)2%). The results of the regression equation, LOD, LOQ, and recoveries for each compound are detailed in Supplementary Table S3.  
Rutin and rosmarinic and chlorogenic acids were the main phenolic compounds quantified in the evaluated seeds. Rosmarinic acid occurs in all species within the Boraginaceae family [14; 23; 47], while ruin and chlorogenic acid have also been identified in several Boraginaceae species [47]. Rosmarinic acid is widely cited in all organs of Boraginaceae plants, and it is useful as a monetaxonomic tool. This phenolic is highly bioactive, although is considered safe, and it has several properties, i.e., antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial [48]. For instance, for the treatment of Herpes simplex, rosmarinic acid is a common component of pharmaceutical formulae. The cosmetic industry also includes this phenolic in creams for skincare, given its antioxidant and UVB sun radiation-protective properties. Moreover, studies are being developed on its antitumor activity [47; 48]. Consistently, given the high concentrations that rosmarinic acid reached in _A. methananea_, _C. major_, _S. creticum_, _A. pindicola_, _A. corcynensis_, and _A. gracca gracca_ (>400 mg/100 g), these constitute promising candidates for the obtainment of this important phenolic compound. Interestingly, previous levels of rosmarinic acid found in the seeds of other Boraginaceae species are notably lower than those found in this work. For example, in _Mertensia_ spp., a range of 110 to 180 mg/100 g was found [49]; in _B. officinalis_, the reported figures were 165 mg/100 g [18] and 12-103 mg/100 g [23]; in wild-endemic _Borago_ spp., it was 14-105 mg/100 [23]; and in _Lithospermth officinal_, the range of values was 305-323 mg/100 g [50]. Therefore, the Greek seeds mentioned above could be used for agricultural production to obtain this acid.  
The flavonoid class represents a low fraction of the quantified phenolics; it accounts for \(\sim\)1/4 of total phenolics for most species and ranged from 14.8 (_C. major_) to 48.7% (_O. frutescens_) of total phenolics. Most of the flavonoids were glycoside derivatives, and _A. methanaea_ reached the highest values (218.8 mg/100 g). _Alkanma_ species had the highest amounts of apigetrin (apigenin-7-_O_-glucoside), especially _A. methanaea_ (137.7 mg/100 g), while in the remaining taxa isoquercetin (quercetin 3-O-glucoside) reached the highest values, except _A. gracca gracca_, in which rutin (quercetin-3-_O_-rutinoside) was higher than isoquercetin. Although the TFC fraction is lower than the phenolic acids one, such compounds can support important benefits to the health status. Flavonoids display diverse biological activities, i.e., antioxidant, immunomododulatory, antimicrobial, and estrogenic ones. Furthermore, glycosylation modifies their biological activities, changing the in vivo absorption, bioavailability, and interaction with ligands [51]. In any case, in all tested species the rosmarinic acid content was higher than that of any flavonoid.