In vitro and in vivo bioactivities of Ambrosia maritima and Bituminaria bituminosa organic extracts from Algeria.

INTRODUCTION

Two medicinal plants, Ambrosia maritima and Bituminaria bituminosa, growing in Algeria were investigated for their flavonoids content and their biological activities.

METHODOLOGY

Different organic extracts were prepared from the aerial parts of each plant using maceration method followed by liquid/liquid type extractions. The anti-antioxidant activity was tested using the β-carotene bleaching method. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested by performing the protein anti-denaturation assay. Acute toxicity and immunostimulatory effect were tested in mice, while the antimicrobial activity was tested according to the minimal inhibition concentration technique.

RESULTS

In term of flavonoids content, ethyl acetate extract of B. bituminosa was the highest (193.39 ± 24.1 µg QE/mg). Ethyl acetate extract of A. maritima showed antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 11.72 ± 0.79 µg/mL. The hydroethanolic extract of A. maritima showed the best anti-denaturation effect in a dose-dependent manner with the IC50 value of 131.07 ± 0.027 µg/mL. The studied plants showed no toxicity or mortality in vivo. Both plants showed a significant immunostimulatory effect; while the Butanolic extract of B. bituminosa demonstrated the best antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans strains.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend A. maritima and B. bituminosa as potent sources of antioxidants and as antimicrobial agents for further assays to better elucidate their actions on the immune system.