Simultaneous optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of flavonoid compounds and antiradical activity from Artemisia herba-Alba using response surface methodology.

Artemisia herba-alba (Aha) is an aromatic and medicinal plant rich in health-promoting flavonoids compounds that play an important role as antioxidant. For better utilization of this resource, the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of flavonoids and antiradical activities of obtained extracts from Aha using response surface methodology was assessed. A four-factor five-level central composite rotatable design was employed to discuss these extracting parameters: ethanol concentration (X1), temperature (X2), extraction time (X3) and solvent to sample ratio (X4). The optimum extraction conditions for simultaneous maximization of total flavonoids (TF) and scavenging activity were solvent concentration of 50%, temperature of 55 °C, extraction time of 50 min and solvent to sample ratio of 90 mL/g. Under these conditions, the experimental yield of TF and DPPH-radical scavenging activity IC50% were respectively 102.49 mg CE/g DM and 7 µg/mL. Additionally, good and moderate linear correlation was observed between antiradical activity and TF content (R2 = 0.709) which indicated that these compounds are responsible for antioxidant activity of Aha. When compared to the most conventional extraction, antioxidant activity and amounts of major flavonoids are enhanced when using UAE with reduced extraction time.

Hydro-Ethanolic Extract of Mentha pulegium Exhibit Anthelmintic and Antioxidant Proprieties In Vitro and In Vivo.

INTRODUCTION: During recent decades, the emergence of chemoresistance among synthetic anthelmintic drugs has increased the interest in screening novel natural anthelmintic compounds derived from plants. The current study is aimed to determine the chemical profile, anthelmintic and antioxidant properties of Mentha pulegium hydro-ethanolic extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two tests were used to assess the in vitro anthelmintic activity of the hydro-ethanolic extract of M. pulegium against Haemonchus contortus; egg hatch assay (EHA) and adult worm motility (AWM) assay. M. pulegium extracts at the doses of 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg were evaluated in vivo in mice infected with Heligmosomoides polygyrus. The anthelmintic efficacy was monitored using faecal egg count reduction (FECR) and total worm count reduction (TWCR). The antioxidant activity of M. pulegium extract was evaluated by testing the total antioxidant capacity and the DPPH free radical-scavenging ability. RESULTS: Chromatographic characterization of M. pulegium composition using RP-HPLC revealed the presence of phenolic acids such as syringic acid, ferulic acid and the presence of flavonoid compounds, such as isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside. We observed 91.58% inhibition in the EHA at 8 mg/mL after 48 h of incubation (IC50=1.82 mg/mL). In the AWM assay, M. pulegium extract achieved 65.2% inhibition at 8 mg/mL after 8 h. The highest dose (4000 mg/kg) showed a significant nematicidal effect 7 days post-treatment by inducing 60.39% FECR and 71.6% TWCR. We also report strong in vivo antioxidant capacity of the extract, as revealed by a significant increase of the enzymatic activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzymes in mice infected with H. polygyrus. CONCLUSION: Together, the results in this paper suggest that M. pulegium possesses anthelmintic properties and could be a potential source of novel compounds for the control of helminth parasites as well as its associated oxidative damage.