Biological activities, isolated compounds and HPLC profile of Verbascum nubicum

Abstract

Context: Genus Verbascum (Scrophulariaceae) comprises about 360 species of flowering plants. Verbascum has been used in traditional medicine as an astringent, antitussive, analgesic and anti-inflammatory.

Objective: Nothing was found in the available literature concerning Verbascum nubicum Murb; therefore, the study evaluates the biological activities, isolated compounds and HPLC profile.

Materials and methods: Methanol extract (VME) and butanol fraction (VBF) of air-dried powdered V. nubicum were obtained. Four compounds were isolated from VBE and identified by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile was determined for (VME). LD₅₀, in vitro antioxidant, in vivo antiulcerogenic and anti-inflammatory activities as well as hepatoprotective activity were assessed. Anti-ulcerogenic and hepatoprotective activities were supported by histopathological examinations.

Results: HPLC analysis of VME revealed the presence of luteolin 7-glucoside (2215.43 mg/100 g), hesperidin (954.51 mg/100 g) and apigenin (233.15 mg/100 g) as major compounds. Four compounds were isolated and confirmed by NMR data, were identified as gentiopicroside, luteolin, aucubin and gallic acid. The LD₅₀ of VME and VBF extracts were calculated to be 8200 and 4225 mg/kg b.w., respectively. IC₅₀ values of VBE and VMF as measured by DPPH·method were 43.6 and 50 µg/mL, respectively. Also, anti-inflammatory effect of VME (400 mg/kg b.w.) and VBF (200 mg/kg b.w.) induced edema model after 120 min were 61.93 and 56.13%, respectively. Antiulcerogenic activity of VME (400 mg/kg b.w.) and VBF (200 mg/kg b.w.) in albino rats were 65.14 and 84.57%, respectively.

Conclusions: The V. nubicum extracts displayed safe and promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties. It can be also applied in the pharmacy industry, food industry and healthcare.

Keywords:

• Liver biomarkers
• inflammatory mediators
• antiulcer activity
• peritoneal macrophage cells

Acknowledgement

Thanks to Prof. Soha Ahmed, Faculty of Dentistry, October 6 University, for her involvement in histopathological examination.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest, financial or otherwise.