HPLC-DAD profiling, antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and antidiabetic activities of four Algerian edible plant extracts: An in vitro and in silico study

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Siga D.E.; Bakchiche B.; Çakır C.; Tuna K.; Öztürk M.; Tounsi A.; Sabour R.; Ghareeb M.A.
Journal: South African Journal of Botany
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Publication Date: September 2025
Volume / Issue: Volume 184
Pages: 588–602
ISSN: 2546299
DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2025.06.037
Scopus: View on Scopus
Document Type: Article
Authors and Affiliations
Siga D.E., Laboratory of Biological and Agronomic Sciences (LBAS), Amar Telidji University, Laghouat, 03000, Algeria, Faculty of Technology, University Amar Telidji-Laghouat, B.P 37 G, Laghouat, 03000, Algeria; Bakchiche B., Laboratory of Biological and Agronomic Sciences (LBAS), Amar Telidji University, Laghouat, 03000, Algeria, Research Unit of Medicinal Plant (RUMP, 3000, Laghouat) attached to Biotechnology research center (CRBt, 25000, Constantine), Laghouat, 03000, Algeria, Faculty of Technology, University Amar Telidji-Laghouat, B.P 37 G, Laghouat, 03000, Algeria; Çakır C., Mugla Sıtkı Koçman University, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry 48121 Menteşe Muğla, Turkey; Tuna K., Mugla Sıtkı Koçman University, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry 48121 Menteşe Muğla, Turkey; Öztürk M., Mugla Sıtkı Koçman University, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry 48121 Menteşe Muğla, Turkey, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Tounsi A., Faculty of Technology, University Amar Telidji-Laghouat, B.P 37 G, Laghouat, 03000, Algeria; Sabour R., Department of Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11651, Egypt; Ghareeb M.A., Medicinal Chemistry Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute Kornaish El Nile, Warrak El-Hadar, Imbaba (P.O. 30), Giza, 12411, Egypt
Abstract
Algerian flora has been a rich source of medicinal and nutritional benefits for centuries. This study investigates the methanolic extracts of four Algerian edible plants (Ficus carica L., Olea europaea L., Pistacia atlantica Desf., and Zizyphus lotus L. (Desf.)) for their bioactive potential. HPLC-DAD analysis identified a diverse range of phenolic compounds. Mainly, oleuropein (335.5 mg/g extract) was the main compound in O. europaea, while epicatechin (981.2 mg/g), catechin (498.4 mg/g), and pyrocatechol (363.0 mg/g) were identified in P. atlantica. Additionally, rutin (37.97 mg/g) and epicatechin (34.35 mg/g) were major compounds in Z. lotus, and chlorogenic acid (10.18 mg/g) was detected alongside rutin (4.88 mg/g) in F. carica. Antioxidant activity was assessed using ABTS, DPPH, and CUPRAC assays, revealing P. atlantica as the most potent extract (IC50: 2.65, 3.49, and 6.94 µg/mL, respectively). Z. lotus exhibited the strongest in vitro anticholinesterase activity (IC50: 29.16 µg/mL against BChE), while O. europaea demonstrated significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50: 44.78 µg/mL), suggesting potential applications in neuroprotection and diabetes management. Molecular docking analysis further supported these findings, highlighting key interactions between bioactive compounds and enzyme binding sites. These results underline the therapeutic relevance of Algerian plants as natural sources of antioxidants, anticholinesterases, and antidiabetic agents. Future studies will validate their clinical efficacy and pharmaceutical potential through isolation and in vivo experiments. © 2025 SAAB
Keywords
Anticholinesterase; Antidiabetic; Antioxidant; Ficus carica L.; Good health and well-being; HPLC-DAD; Molecular docking; Olea europaea L.; Pistacia atlantica Desf.; Zizyphus lotus L. (Desf.); angiosperm; diabetes; edible species; enzyme activity; liquid chromatography; molecular analysis; plant extract
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 5
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