Antioxidant potentials and inhibitory activities of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and acetylcholinesterase of different fractions from Salsola tetragona Delile

ABSTRACTThe medicinal use of Salsola tetragona Delile (Amaranthaceae) aerial parts is a longstanding tradition. This study delved into the plant’s potential as an antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-Alzheimer agent. The aerial portion extracted and evaluated four fractions (n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol) for their antioxidant activity using DPPH, FRAP, and anti-hemolysis tests, as well as the inhibitory activity of cholinesterase and carbohydrate digesting enzymes. The results showed that the dichloromethane fraction (St.DCM) of S. tetragona had a significant ability to scavenge DPPH• radicals. The ethyl acetate fraction (St.EtOAc) had the best reduction power test activity compared to other solvent fractions. The n-hexane fraction (St.Hex) was most effective in the anti-hemolysis test. The ethyl acetate fraction also had inhibitory activities (p < .05) with IC50 values of 70 ± 1.80 µg/ml for α-glycosidase, equivalent to the n-butanol fraction (St.n-BuOH), which had very significant activity (p < .05) in the α-amylase inhibition test with an IC50 of 64 ± 1.80 µg/ml. The ethyl acetate fraction also had a considerable concentration of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids and exhibited significant (p < .05) inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase with an IC50 of 30 ± 0.30 µg/ml. Therefore, the aerial parts of S. tetragona contained high levels of biologically active compounds, making it a potential source for developing new plant-based pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals to enhance human health

Phytochemical profiling of Salsola tetragona Delile by LC-HR/MS and investigation of the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antibacterial and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities

This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and biological activity of Salsola tetragona Delile. (Amaranthaceae), a medicinal plant. The study evaluated the antioxidant potential of the crude extract and five fractions of S. tetragona using DPPH•, ABTS•+, CUPRAC, and metal chelating assays. The anti-inflammatory activity was determined using a protein denaturation assay, and the antibacterial activity was determined by the Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains. The MTT test and an in vitro scratch assay evaluated the effects on cell viability and cell migration. The potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity was assessed by analyzing the effects on the interaction between ACE2 and Spike protein. The bioactive compounds present in the plant were identified using LC-HR/MS analysis. The crude hydromethanolic extract (STM) and five fractions of S. tetragona, n-hexane (STH), dichloromethane (STD), ethyl acetate (STE), n-butanol (STB), and aqueous (STW) showed significant antioxidant activity in four different tests. In the anti-inflammatory assay, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited significantly higher activity than Aspirin® (IC50 = 13 ± 5 µg/mL). The crude extract and its fractions showed positive antibacterial activity with similar MICs. In the cytotoxicity assay against the breast cancer cell line MCF7, the dichloromethane fractions (STD) were very effective and demonstrated superiority over the other fractions (IC50 = 98 µg/mL). Moreover, the potential of the extract and fractions as anti-SARS-CoV-2, the ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane fractions demonstrated important activity in this test. LC-HR/MS analysis identified 16 different phenolic compounds, Eleven of which had not been previously reported in the genus Salsola. The results suggest that the extracts of S. tetragona have the potential to become new sources for developing plant-based therapies for managing a range of diseases

Biochemical Profile and In Vitro Therapeutic Properties of Two Euhalophytes, <i>Halocnemum strobilaceum</i> Pall. and <i>Suaeda fruticosa</i> (L.) Forske., Grown in the Sabkha Ecosystem in the Algerian Sahara

This study reports the biochemical profile and in vitro biological activities of the aerial part of two shrubs: Halocnemum strobilaceum and Suaeda fruticosa, a halophytes species native to saline habitats. The biomass was evaluated by determining its physiological properties and approximate composition. Hydro-methanolic extracts from Halocnemum strobilaceum and Suaeda fruticosa have been investigated for the inhibition of bacterial growth, the protection of proteins (albumin) from denaturation, and cytotoxicity to hepatocellular carcinomas (Huh-7 and HepG2). Their antioxidant activity was evaluated by five tests, including one that examined their ability to inhibit hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced hemolysis. The profile of their phenolic compounds was also determined. These two euhalophytes had a high moisture content, high levels of photosynthetic pigments, elevated levels of ash and protein, low oxidative damage indices, MDA (Malondialdehyde) and proline, and low lipids levels. Their content was also characterized by a moderate acidity with good electrical conductivity. They contained abundant levels of phytochemicals and varied phenolic contents. Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis revealed the presence of caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, rutin, and quercetin in both plant extracts. On the pharmaceutical level, the two euhalophytes had anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties, and therefore it was recommended to isolate and identify biologically active compounds from these plants and evaluate them in vivo