Objective:
The aim of the present study is to examine the phytochemical components and
the biological activities of the whole parts of Onobrychis crista-galli (L.) Lam. growing in Algeria.
Methods:
The structures of the isolated compounds 1-15 were elucidated using different spectroscopic
methods and by comparison with literature data. The biological evaluation of the plant was
determined by the in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The antioxidant activity of
various extracts (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol) and some isolated flavonoids was assessed
by using five different test systems, namely, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH), 2,2’-
azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC),
superoxide alkaline DMSO, and β-carotene/linoleic acid tests. In addition, the total phenolic
and flavonoid contents of the extracts were determined as gallic acid and quercetin equivalents, respectively.
In vitro anti-inflammatory activity by protein denaturation was measured for all extracts.
Results:
Phytochemical investigation of the ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts of Onobrychis crista-
galli led to the isolation for the first time of fifteen known compounds. The present study reports
for the first time the isolation and identification of fifteen known compounds from this species. The
ethyl acetate extract had rich phenolic content indicating (31.09 ± 0.40 mg gallic acid equivalents/g
of fresh weight), while n-butanol extract displayed a high content in flavonoid compounds
(60.70±0.7 mg quercetin equivalents/ g of fresh weight). This investigation indicated that the ethyl
acetate extract of O. crista-galli showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50= 17.13±0.51 μg/mL,
DPPH), (IC50= 82.99±2.50 μg/mL, ABTS), and (A0.50= 94.67±0.41 μg/mL, CUPRAC), (IC50=
97.09±2.20 μg/mL, DMSO), (IC50: 36.73±1.17 μg/mL, β-carotene/linoleic acid). Furthermore, the
compound luteolin 5-methyl ether (14) exhibited a good antioxidant activity in DPPH (IC50= 06.05 ±
0.15 μg /mL) and CUPRAC (A0.5= 12.57 ± 0.34 μg /mL) assays. Moreover, the ethyl acetate and nbutanol
extracts of O. crista-galli evidenced a good to moderate in vitro anti-inflammatory activity.
Conclusion:
The extracts of the whole plant of O. crista-galli (L.) Lam. showed potent antioxidant
and anti-inflammatory activities.
In-Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Total Phenolic Content of Ruta montana L. Extracts
