Oxidative stress plays a major role in diabetic physiopathology; hence, the interest of using natural antioxidants as therapeutic tools exists. The aim of this study was the evaluation of in vitro antioxidant activity and inhibitory potential of organic extracts from Aristolochia longa roots against key enzymes linked to hyperglycemia. Antioxidant activity was performed using 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. The α-Glucosidase and β-Galactosidase inhibitory activities were investigated using an in vitro model. Moreover, phytochemical analysis of tested extracts was carried out. The aqueous fraction of this herb exhibited the highest antioxidant activity for both DPPH and ABTS methods, IC50=125.40±2.40 μg/mL and IC50=65.23±2.49 μg/mL, respectively. However, the ethyl acetate fraction possessed the strongest inhibitory effect towards α-Glucosidase (IC50=1.112±0.026 mg/mL). Furthermore, the result showed high levels of phenolic content. The results showed that this plant could be a significant source of medically important natural compounds.

Aristolochia longa L. (Aristolochiaceae) is an herbaceous plant recognized in alternative medicine for its many therapeutic virtues. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacotoxicological effects of this plant in order to ensure safe clinical use. The oral toxicity of the aqueous extract of A. longa roots was performed in vivo on Wistar rats at doses of 0.8, 1.25, 2, 2.5, and 5 g/kg/day for 21 days. Clinical signs were observed throughout the experimental period, followed by measurement of body weight change, while selected biochemical parameters, as well as relative organ weights and the histology of liver, kidney, and intestinal tissues, were evaluated after 6, 11, and 16 days and then at the end of 21 days of daily administration. At repeated doses for 21 days, the extract contributed to significant weight gain, in both control and treated rats. The global analysis of hepatic and renal biomarkers showed a significant increase between control and different doses of the extract, from the first to the third week of treatment, indicating the likely toxic effect of the extract on liver and kidney function. Organ toxicity was confirmed by histopathological examination, which revealed greater renal and hepatic parenchymal changes in animals treated with a high dose beyond the 16th day. At the end of the treatment, relatively small size of intestinal villi was also observed. It was concluded that ALAE has a low toxicity potential in nonprolonged oral administrations. However, at high chronic oral doses, A. longa appears to have significant toxicity on the organs tested.

The present study aimed to determine the phenolic compounds of Aristolochia longa root extracts and to evaluate their antibacterial activities on multiresistant strains. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and alkaloids. The HPLC-DAD analysis of A. longa extracts showed the presence of several major bioactive compounds such as ferulic acid, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, citric acid, and quinic acid. The agar diffusion method was used for the sensitivity test, while minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration values were determined by microdilution assay. Different tests were carried out on 3 clinical multiresistant strains and 3 reference strains. The diameter of inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 induced by the ethyl acetate fraction at 200 mg/mL was 25 ± 1 mm. Moreover, Escherichia coli ATCC 29522 showed a great sensitivity toward all the concentrations tested. The MICs of the active extracts vary between 12.5 and 100 mg/mL with a bacteriostatic effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Enterococcus faecalis, and S. aureus ATCC 25923.