Pterospartum tridentatum Willk. (prickled broom) is an autochthonous plant, common
in Portuguese territory.
The yellow flowers are used in traditional medicine, as a potential cure for all body
illnesses, mainly for throat irritation treatment or for diabetes, hypertension and
hypercholesterolemia therapy.Despite its traditional use, no toxicological assessment has been performed as we know.
A high antioxidant activity of P. tridentatum flower water extract was acessed in good
agreement with its ESI-MS spectrum that revealed the presence of several flavonoids, as
luteolin-O-(O-acetyl)-glucuronide, luteolin-O- glucuronide or isorhamnetin-O-hexoside.
Mitocondrial respiratory rates (state 4, state 3 and FCCP-stimulated respiration) and
respiratory indexes (respiratory control and P/O ratios) showed no consistent decrease
of respiratory and phosphorylative efficiencies for the concentrations tested (up to 500
μg.mL-1). Cytotoxicity evaluation, using MTT assay, was reliable with the previous
results. In conclusion, for the concentration range commonly used P. tridentatum
flowers usage can be regarded as harmless and trustworthy
