Phytochemical Analysis, Pharmacological and Safety Evaluations of Halophytic Plant, <i>Salsola cyclophylla</i>

• Main Authors: Hamdoon A. Mohammed, Mohsen S. Al-Omar, Salman A. A. Mohammed, Ahmad H. Alhowail, Hussein M. Eldeeb, Mohammed S. M. Sajid, Essam M. Abd-Elmoniem, Osama A. Alghulayqeh, Yasser I. Kandil, Riaz A. Khan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: <i>Salsola cyclophylla</i>; halophyte; trace elements; LC-MS; anti-oxidant; anti-inflammatory
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/8/2384

<i>Salsola cyclophylla</i>, an edible halophyte, is traditionally used for inflammation and pain. To confirm the claimed anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, a detailed study on respective pharmacological actions was undertaken. The activities are contemplated to arise from its phytoconstituents. The LC-MS analysis of <i>S. cyclophylla</i> 95% aqueous-ethanolic extract revealed the presence of 52 compounds belonging to phenols, flavonoids, coumarins, and aliphatics class. A high concentration of Mn, Fe, and Zn was detected by atomic absorption spectroscopic analysis. The ethyl acetate extract showed the highest flavonoid contents (5.94 ± 0.04 mg/g, Quercetin Equivalents) and Fe2⁺-chelation (52%) potential with DPPH radicals-quenching IC₅₀ at 1.35 ± 0.16 mg/mL, while the aqueous ethanolic extract exhibited maximum phenolics contents (136.08 ± 0.12 mg/g, gallic acid equivalents) with DPPH scavenging potential at IC₅₀ 0.615 ± 0.06 mg/mL. Aqueous ethanolic extract and standard quercetin DPPH radicals scavenging’s were equal potent at 10 mg/mL concentrations. The aqueous ethanolic extract showed highest analgesic effect with pain reduction rates 89.86% (<i>p</i> = 0.03), 87.50% (<i>p</i> < 0.01), and 99.66% (<i>p</i> = 0.0004) after 60, 90, and 120 min, respectively. Additionally, aqueous ethanolic extract exhibited the highest anti-inflammation capacity at 41.07% (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), 34.51% (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), and 24.82% (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) after 2, 3, and 6 h of extract’s administration, respectively. The phytochemical constituents, significant anti-oxidant potential, remarkable analgesic, and anti-inflammatory bioactivities of extracts supported the traditionally claimed anti-inflammatory and analgesic plant activities.