Phytochemical analysis and biological activities of Hertia cheirifolia L. roots extracts.

OBJECTIVE: To test the antioxidant, antimicrobial and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the roots extracts from Hertia cheirifolia (H. cheirifolia) L.

METHODS: Total phenolics and total flavonoids content of the different extracts were determined by colorimetric methods and reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was performed to identify various chemical components. The different extracts were evaluated for antioxidant activities by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylenebenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS+ ) and β-carotene bleaching tests and α-glucosidase inhibitory properties. The antimicrobial activity was carried out in vitro by the broth dilution method.

RESULTS: Trans-cinnamic acid, rutin hydrate, naringin and quercetin were the main compounds of the ethyl acetate extract from H. cheirifolia L. This extract has significant scavenging activity to decrease free radicals especially for DPPH and ABTS radicals. As well as, the ethyl acetate extract exhibited an antimicrobial property against bacterial strains. Bacillus licheniformis and Salmonella enterica were the most sensitive strains with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 0.156 mg/mL.

CONCLUSION: The ethyl acetate extract was found to be selectively antioxidant and antimicrobial.