Pharmacological Activities and Characterization of Phenolic and Flavonoid Compounds in Solenostemma argel Extract

Abstract

Solenostemma argel is a desert medicinal plant indigenous to African countries. This research aims to study the pharmacological properties of Solenostemma argel plant. Aerial parts (leaves and flowers) of Solenostemma argel (Delile) Hayane were tested for antibacterial activity, antioxidant activity, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activity. Phenolic and flavonoid contents of the plant were characterized. There was an increase in the antioxidant activity of Solenostemma argel extract from 12.16% to 94.37% by increasing concentration from10 µg/mL to 1280 µg/mL. The most sensitive organism was S. epidermidis with chloroform extract. The MTT assay revealed that methanolic extracts of Solenostemma argel showed potent cytotoxic effects on the A549, Caco-2, and MDAMB-231 cell lines, respectively. The anti-inflammatory activity increased by increasing the concentration of methanolic extract of Solenostemma argel, using indomethacin as a standard. Gallic acid was the most abundant phenolic acid, followed by synergic acid and p-coumaric acid, respectively. Catechin, quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol and rutin flavonoids were also found in the methanolic extract. GC-mass analysis showed that aerial parts of Solenostemma argel were rich in 2-(5-methyl-5 vinyl tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-2-propanol (11.63%), hexanoic acid methyl ester (10.93%), 3-dioxolane,4-methyl-2-pentadecyl (9.69%), phenol, 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl) (8.50%). It can be concluded that Solenostemma argel methanolic extract contain natural bioactive constituents with potential medicinal importance such as antioxidants, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities.

Biosynthesis of copper nanoparticles using Solenostemma argel and their effect on enhancing salt tolerance in barley plants

“…Solenostemma argel , a medicinal plant collected from botanical garden of Department of Botany, King Saud University, is commonly known as argel and thrives in desert environments. Previous studies, supported by GC–MS analysis, have revealed a plethora of phytochemicals within the plant 36 , 37 . These phytochemical constituents play a crucial role in the NPs formation as they act as reducing agents in the biological synthesis of various nanoparticles.…”

Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles by Using Solenostemma argel Extract and Its Application as an Antimicrobial Agent

“…The plant was reported to have antimicrobial properties, and the antifungal and anti-bacterial properties of the aqueous extracts of Aspergillus niger, Pennicilium italicum, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi were investigated [30]. Various researchers have used the green root of Cu-NP synthesis [31,32].…”