Title:Phenolic Profile, Acute Toxicity, and Hepatoprotective and Antiproliferative
Activities of Algerian Ruta tuberculata Forssk
Volume: 18
Issue: 3
Author(s): Asma Saidi*, Leila Hambaba, Burak Kucuk, Ercan Cacan and Ramazan Erenler
Affiliation:
- Laboratory of Biotechnology of Bioactive Molecules and Cellular Physiopathology (LBMBPC), Department of Microbiology
and Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, University of Batna 2, Batna, Algeria
Keywords:
R. tuberculata, acute oral toxicity, hepatoprotective activity, antiproliferative activity, flavonoids, LC-MS/MS analysis.
Abstract:
Objectives: Ruta tuberculata forssk. (Rutaceae) is an aromatic plant widely used in traditional
Algerian medicine due to its pharmaceutical virtues against various disorders. This study
aims to determine the phenolic profile of aqueous (RAE) and methanol (RME) extracts of R. tuberculata
aerial parts and to investigate their acute oral toxicity, as well as their possible antiproliferative
and hepatoprotective effects.
Methods: Polyphenols were identified by quantitative LC-MS/MS analysis. Oral acute toxicity
was performed according to OCDE guidelines. The hepatoprotective activity was evaluated by
paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity and supported by biochemical and histological analysis of liver
and kidneys. The antiproliferative activity against human colorectal HT-29 and ovarian OV2008
cancer cell lines was determined using SRB assay.
Results: LC-MS/MS analysis revealed that RME has higher phenols and flavonoids content than
RAE; however, its major identified flavonoids are Kaempferol, rutin, and naringenin. R. tuberculata
seems mildly toxic at several doses, with oral LD50 greater than 5000 mg/kg. The significant increase
in hepatic markers enzymes activities as well as cholesterol, triglycerides, and glycemic levels,
caused by PCM-administration, was potentially reduced following the co-treatments with vitamin
C and RME, respectively, compared to RAE. Moreover, RME-treatment markedly prevented
all histological changes. Compared to RAE, RME (100 μg/mL) exhibited excellent antiproliferative
activity against both tested cancer lines (% inhibition ≥ 80%).
Conclusion: Both R. tuberculata extracts (200 mg/kg/daily) were non-toxic and exerted a potential
hepatoprotective effect against PCM-induced hepatotoxicity. Accordingly, RME may be considered
a good candidate for the development of new therapies against colorectal and ovarian cancers.