Phytochemical, biological activities of some plants on diseases common in the Oued Souf region

This study investigated the phytochemical composition and biological activities of Bunium mauritanicum tubers and Brassica oleracea var. elongata, two plants traditionally used in the Oued Souf region of Algeria. The study combined ethnobotanical surveys, in vitro phytochemical and biological assays, and in vivo experiments on rats. Both aqueous and methanolic extracts of B. mauritanicum tubers and B. oleracea leaves and seeds were employed. Key analytical methods included HPLC for phytochemical profiling, spectrophotometric assays for total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant assays (DPPH, FRAP, ?-carotene bleaching), antimicrobial activity tests, anti-inflammatory assays, and in vitro antidiabetic activity tests. In vivo studies utilized animal models of hypothyroidism and anemia, with subsequent biochemical, hematological, and histological analyses.
Phytochemical screening identified various bioactive compounds in both plants, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, tannins, and saponins. HPLC analysis revealed higher concentrations of phenolic compounds in methanolic extracts compared to aqueous extracts for both plants. In B. mauritanicum, gallic acid and quercetin were prominent, while B. oleracea showed high levels of gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and rutin. Both plant extracts demonstrated significant antioxidant activities across multiple assays. In the DPPH assay, B. mauritanicum aqueous extract (IC50 = 0.288 mg/mL) and B. oleracea methanolic leaf extract (IC50 = 0.058 mg/mL) showed the strongest activities. The FRAP assay revealed B. mauritanicum aqueous extract (EC50 = 0.0442 mg/mL) and B. oleracea methanolic leaf extract (EC50 = 0.814 mg/mL) as most effective. In the ?-carotene bleaching assay, B. oleracea aqueous leaf extract (EC50 = 0.049 mg/mL) showed the highest activity.
Antimicrobial activity tests showed that B. oleracea extracts demonstrated broader antimicrobial activity compared to B. mauritanicum. The methanolic seed extract of B. oleracea showed significant inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (18 mm), while B. mauritanicum extracts were most effective against Escherichia coli (8 mm for aqueous extract). Both plants also showed anti-inflammatory properties through protein denaturation inhibition assays, with B. oleracea aqueous leaf extract exhibiting the highest inhibition (94.8%), comparable to the reference drug diclofenac (96.46%).
In-vivo studies further explored the therapeutic potential of these plants. In a hypothyroidism model, treatment with B. mauritanicum tuber extract (200 mg/kg) improved thyroid hormone levels, reducing TSH from 2.1 to 1.9 æIU/mL and increasing T4 from 30.23 to32.70 nmol/L. In an anemia model, B. oleracea leaf extract treatment (200 mg/kg) improved hematological parameters, increasing RBC count from 6.14 to 6.35 x 10^6 cells/mL and hemoglobin from 8.70 to 14.60 g/dL. Both treatments also showed improvements in liver and kidney function markers and histological profiles, indicating protective effects against organ damage.
This comprehensive study provides scientific support for the traditional uses of B. mauritanicum and B. oleracea var. elongata in the Oued Souf region. The results suggest that B. mauritanicum may have potential in managing hypothyroidism, while B. oleracea shows promise for treating anemia. The identification of bioactive compounds and demonstration of various biological activities highlight the potential of these plants as sources of therapeutic agents.