Hexane Extract of Echinops spinosissimus Turra subsp. spinosus from Tunisia: A Potential Source of Acetylated Sterols – Investigation of its Biological Activities

Abstract

The hexane extract of Echinops spinosissimus Turra subsp. spinosus flower heads was analyzed for its fatty acid and sterol composition. Its physicochemical characteristics were also studied. The saponification, iodine and peroxide values were determined as 255 mg KOH/g, 42.57 g I /100 g and 110 m equiv. O /kg of oil, respectively. The oleic (C18:1; 61.14%), palmitic (C16:0; 21.36%) and linoleic (C18:2; 10.45%) acids were the dominant fatty acids. This extract was also found to contain high levels of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol (44.97% and 34.95% of total sterols, respectively). On the other hand, the identification of terpenoid compounds was investigated by using GC/MS, which revealed fourteen major terpenoids mainly taraxasterol, lupeol, pseudotaraxasterol, lup-22(29)-en-3-yl acetate, taraxasteryl acetate, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, pseudotaraxasteryl acetate, hop-20(29)-en3-β-ol, α-amirenone, along with β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. Moreover, we have evaluated the in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of the unsaponifiable matter and a fraction isolated from this extract. These activities were conducted using the diffusion disc methods and broth microdilution assay. The resulted fraction from this extract showed the highest antibacterial activity with significant minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values 125.0 μg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus cereus. However, it did exhibit no substantial antifungal activity.

Ethnopharmacognosy of Echinops spinosus L. in North Africa: A Mini Review

“…Phytochemical investigations of E. spinosus from North Africa in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt led to the isolation and identification of 42 metabolites belonging to the phytochemical classes of quinoline alkaloids (S 1 -S 2 ) [1], sesquiterpenoids (S 3 ) [22], flavonoids (S 4 -S 26 ) [12,23], and sterols (S 27 -S 39 ) [24]. The names of the isolated compounds and their sources are provided in Table 1 and the chemical structures are depicted in Table 2.…”

“…In 2009, the isolation of two sesquiterpenoids with a novel carbon framework was reported and named echinopine A and echinopine B [22]. In 2016, Bouattour et al [24] identified 13 sterols in E. spinosus from Tunisia. The two most abundant compounds were ß-sitosterol (44.97%) followed by stigmasterol (34.95%) [24].…”

“…In 2016, Bouattour et al [24] identified 13 sterols in E. spinosus from Tunisia. The two most abundant compounds were ß-sitosterol (44.97%) followed by stigmasterol (34.95%) [24]. In the same year, the occurrence of flavonoids was reported in the aerial parts of E. spinosus from Algeria and Egypt.…”

Improvement on high-cholesterol diet induced atherosclerosis, lipid profile, oxidative stress and genotoxicity in the liver of mice by Echinops spinosissimus Turra subsp. spinosus

“…Concerning the genus E. s. spinosus, the ethanolic extract has efficient action on muscular fibers and exhibited a very good anti-inflammatory activity [16]. It was known for its therapeutic effect on health and its extensive anecdotal history in traditional medicines [17]. The Gas chromatography and Mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that the plant is a potential source of terpenoid compounds and acetylated sterols [17].…”

“…It was known for its therapeutic effect on health and its extensive anecdotal history in traditional medicines [17]. The Gas chromatography and Mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that the plant is a potential source of terpenoid compounds and acetylated sterols [17].…”