Phenolic composition, antioxidant and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities of the Tunisian Scabiosa arenaria.
BACKGROUND
There is a need for the discovery of novel natural antioxidants and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) that are safe and effective at a global level. This is the first study on antioxidant and anti-acethylcholinesterase activity of Scabiosa arenaria Forssk (Dipsacaceae).


OBJECTIVE
The antioxidant potential and anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity of S. arenaria were investigated.


METHODS
The crude, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), butanol (n-BuOH) and water extracts prepared from flowers, fruits and stems and leaves of S. arenaria were tested to determine their total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total condensed tannin content (CTC) and their antioxidant activity by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), reducing power and β-carotene bleaching inhibition activity. Anti-AChE activity was also determined.


RESULTS
EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions of fruits had both the highest (TPC) (269.09 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight). The crude extract of stems and leaves had the highest TFC (10.9 mg quercetin equivalent/g dry weight). The n-BuOH fraction of stems and leaves had the highest CTC (489.75 mg catechin equivalents/g dry weight). The EtOAc fraction of flowers exhibit a higher activity in each antioxidant system with a special attention for DPPH assay (IC50 = 0.017 mg/mL) and reducing power (EC50 = 0.02 mg/mL). The EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions of stems and leaves showed strong inhibition of AChE (IC50 = 0.016 and 0.029 mg/mL, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest the potential of S. arenaria as a possible source of novel compounds and as an alternative antioxidant and AChEIs.
Laboratoire des maladies transmissibles et des substances biologiquement actives, Faculté de Pharmacie, Monastir, Tunisie.
Malek
M
Besbes Hlila
Amel
A
Omri
Hichem
H
Ben Jannet
Ali
A
Lamari
Mahjoub
M
Aouni
Boulbaba
B
Selmi
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049917:Dipsacaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013634:Tannins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014416:Tunisia
D000975:Antioxidants; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D012997:Solvents; D013634:Tannins; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase