Objective: To examine the antioxidant and antihemolytic activities of the aqueous extract, total polyphenols and total flavonoids of Thymus satureioides (T. satureioides). Methods: This plant was collected from Tafilalet Region of Morocco. The aqueous extract was obtained by cold maceration, and the components were obtained by Soxhlet extraction using solvents of varying polarity. The identification and quantification of phenol (caffeic and rosmarinic acids) and flavones (luteolin 7-glycoside and hesperetin) were carried out by high performance liquid chromatography analysis. Results: Total polyphenol and flavonoids contents in the aqueous extract of T. satureioides were (456.73±6.94) mg caffeic acid equivalent/g of dry plant and (172.79±2.12) mg rutin equivalent/g of dry plant, respectively. Different extracts showed good antioxidant activity. IC50 for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil radical scavenging activity was (0.480±0.010), (0.418±0.005), (43.891±2.467) and (0.510±0.010) mg/mL for the aqueous extract, total polyphenol, flavonoids and trolox, respectively. Also, the extracts showed ferric reducing antioxidant power and the values were (50.79±2.02), (117.51±6.46), (7.03±0.29) and (44.33±7.55) mmol trolox/ g for the aqueous extract, total polyphenol, flavonoids and trolox, respectively. Serum levels of malondialdehyde was significantly decreased in comparison with the oxidized control (P<0.001). They showed good activity against 2,2,-azobis 2-amidinopropane dihydrochloride induced hemolysis in erythrocytes of rabbit blood. In addition, they ameliorate the half time of hemolysis. Conclusions: Our results provide evidence that aqueous extract, total polyphenols and total flavonoids of T. satureioides exhibit marked antioxidant and antihemolytic activities, thus confirming and justifying the popular uses of this plant to relieve some pains.

OBJECTIVEAnabasis aretioides (Coss & Moq.), a Saharan plant belonging to Chenopodiaceae family, is widely distributed in semi-desert areas from the Tafilalet region of Morocco. This plant is extensively used by local population against diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of the aqueous A. aretioides extract on lipid metabolism in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and to identify the polyphenolic compounds present. In addition, the in vitro antioxidant activity of the aqueous A. aretioides extract was also evaluated.

METHODSThe effect of an aerial part aqueous extract (APAE) of A. aretioides (5 mg/kg of lyophilized A. aretioides APAE) on plasma lipid profile was investigated in normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats (n = 6) after once daily oral administration for 15 days. The aqueous extract was tested for its 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity. Polyphenolic compounds in the extracts were definitively characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry.

RESULTSIn diabetic rats, oral administration of A. aretioides APAE provoked a significant decrease in both plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels from the first to the second week (P < 0.01). A significant decrease on plasma triglyceride levels was also observed in normal rats (P < 0.01), where the reduction was 53%. In addition, the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of 12 polyphenolic compounds. Moreover, according to the DPPH radical-scavenging activity, the aqueous extract showed an in vitro antioxidant activity.

CONCLUSIONAqueous A. aretioides APAE exhibits lipid-lowering and in vitro antioxidant activities. Many polyphenols were present in this extract and these phytoconstituents may be involved in the pharmacological activity of this plant.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; administration & dosage ; Chenopodiaceae ; chemistry ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Male ; Phytochemicals ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Polyphenols ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Streptozocin ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Triglycerides ; blood