Polyphenolic profile of Asphodelus fistulosus L. roots and evaluation of their antioxidant, anti-haemolytic activities and toxicity

Abstract

The polyphenolic profile of the hydroethanol extract of Asphodelus fistulosis L. roots (HEAFR) was determined using LC-HRMS/MS technique while its antioxidant activity was evaluated using five different methods (DPPH, reducing power, reduction via Fe⁺² phenanthroline complex formation, ABTS^•+, silver ion reduction capacity). In addition, preliminary toxicity and cytotoxicity of the HEAFR were assessed on larvae. The results revealed the presence of 40 polyphenols, with luteolin (23.89%), luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (15.32%), emodin (13.49%) and feruloyltyramine (10.57%) as major compounds. The highest antioxidant activity was shown in the ABTS^•+ assay (IC₅₀: 89.34 ± 5.65 μg/mL) whereas preliminary toxicity and cytotoxicity tests showed that this extract is non-toxic. Moreover, the HEAFR exhibited a good protective effect of erythrocyte membranes at a high concentration of 800 μg/mL and showed comparable stabilisation efficiency to gallic acid at a concentration of 200 μg/mL. These findings highlight the HEAFR potential as a non-toxic antioxidant agent with protective effects on cell membranes.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Asphodelus fistulosus L
• LC-HRMS/MS
• antioxidant activity
• anti-haemolytic activity
• toxicity

Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to DGRSDT-MESRS Algeria and to the the National Centre of Biotechnology Research (CRBt), Ali-Mendjeli, Constantine, Algeria, for their help.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interests.

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Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.