Total Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Activity, and Cytotoxicity of Different Extractions of Solenanthus circinnatus Ledeb.

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

2 Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

3 Pharmaceutical Sciences and Cosmetic Products Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

4 Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

5 Herbal and Traditional Medicines Research Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

6 Applied cellular and molecular research center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Azar-Choob, scientifically known as Solenanthus circinnatus Ledeb., belongs to the Boraginaceae family. Traditionally, its root has been used topically for pain relief and to reduce inflammation. The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of various extracts obtained from the roots of Solenanthus circinnatus Ledeb. Following the collection and drying of the plant roots, phytochemical screening was conducted. The dried roots were sequentially extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus with a series of solvents with increasing polarity: n-hexane, dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and methanol. The total phenolic content (TPC) of each extract was quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Subsequently, the DPPH radical scavenging assay was performed. Finally, the cytotoxic effects of all extracts were assessed on MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HT-29, A549, and NIH-3T3 fibroblasts via the MTT assay. The highest extraction yield was obtained with the ethanolic extract (25.2 ± 0.85 %). After phytochemical screening, the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, tannins, steroids, and carbohydrates was also confirmed in the plant root. The ethyl acetate extract not only contained the highest TPC but also demonstrated the most potent antioxidant activity. Regarding cytotoxicity, most extracts had no significant effect on cell viability. However, dichloromethane and chloroform extracts at 125 μg/mL significantly reduced the viability of the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. This study showed that the ethyl acetate extract of Solenanthus circinnatus Ledeb. may be considered a potentially safe and effective natural antioxidant source for further applications in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1.  @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}@font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}@font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}p.MsoHeader, li.MsoHeader, div.MsoHeader {mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-link:"Header Char"; margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; tab-stops:center 3.25in right 6.5in; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph {mso-style-priority:34; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:.5in; mso-add-space:auto; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst {mso-style-priority:34; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-type:export-only; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in; mso-add-space:auto; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle {mso-style-priority:34; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-type:export-only; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in; mso-add-space:auto; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast {mso-style-priority:34; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-type:export-only; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:.5in; mso-add-space:auto; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}span.HeaderChar {mso-style-name:"Header Char"; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-locked:yes; mso-style-link:Header;}span.EndNoteBibliographyChar {mso-style-name:"EndNote Bibliography Char"; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-locked:yes; mso-style-link:"EndNote Bibliography"; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri; mso-no-proof:yes;}p.EndNoteBibliography, li.EndNoteBibliography, div.EndNoteBibliography {mso-style-name:"EndNote Bibliography"; mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-link:"EndNote Bibliography Char"; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; text-align:justify; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-no-proof:yes;}.MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:11.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-font-kerning:0pt; mso-ligatures:none;}.MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;}div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}ol {margin-bottom:0in;}ul {margin-bottom:0in;}

    1. Nwozo O.S., Effiong E.M., Aja P.M., Awuchi CGJIJoFP. Antioxidant, phytochemical, and therapeutic properties of medicinal plants. A review. International Journal of Food Properties. 2023; 26 (1): 359-388. DOI: 10.1080/10942912.2022.2157425.
    2. Mehrabani M., Raeiszadeh M., Najafipour H., Esmaeli Tarzi M., Amirkhosravi A., Poustforoosh A., Mohammadi M.A., Naghdi S., Mehrabani M. Evaluation of the Cytotoxicity, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Different Extracts of Punica granatum var. pleniflora. Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. 2020; 27:414-425. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22062/jkmu.2020.91474.
    3. Vaou N., Stavropoulou E., Voidarou C., Tsigalou C., Bezirtzoglou E.J.M. Towards advances in medicinal plant antimicrobial activity: A review study on challenges and future perspectives. Microorganisms. 2021; 9:2041. DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9102041.
    4. Erb M., Kliebenstein D.JJPp. Plant secondary metabolites as defenses, regulators, and primary metabolites: the blurred functional trichotomy. Plant physiology. 2020; 184(1):39-52. DOI: 10.1104/pp.20.00433.
    5. Dash U.C., Bhol N.K., Swain S.K., Samal R.R., Nayak P.K., Raina V., Panda S.K., Kerry R.G., Duttaroy A.K., Jena A.B. Oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders: Mechanisms and implications. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B. 2025; 15 (1):15-34. DOI: doi: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.10.004.
    6. Olszowy M. What is responsible for antioxidant properties of polyphenolic compounds from plants? Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. 2019; 144:135-143. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2019.09.039.
    7. Krishnaiah D., Sarbatly R., Nithyanandam R.J.F. A review of the antioxidant potential of medicinal plant species. Food bioproducts processing. 2011; 89:217-233. DOI:10.1016/j.fbp.2010.04.008.
    8. Carloni P., Tiano L., Padella L., Bacchetti T., Customu C., Kay A., Damiani E. Antioxidant activity of white, green and black tea obtained from the same tea cultivar. Food Research International. 2013; 53:900-908. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2012.07.057.
    9. Attar F., Sotoodeh A., Sheidai M., Esfandani-Bozchaloyi S., Mirtadzadini M.JTIJ.oB. Taxonomic importance of nutlets and flowers in tribe Cynoglosseae (Boraginaceae). The Iranian Journal of Botany. 2021; 27:146-163. DOI: 10.22092/ijb.2021.355061.1330.
    10. Yaqoob S., Jan I., Reshi Z.A., Rashid I., Shah M.A.J.R.A. Risk analysis of fast spreading species in a Kashmir Himalayan National Park (Dachigam) for better monitoring and management. Risk Analysis. 2023; 43:467-479. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13913.
    11. Jahromi M.A.F., Jamshidzadeh A., Sokooti S. Comparative evaluation of analgesic activity of Solenanthus circinatus Ledeb. root extract and fractions in rat models of pain. Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2020; 6:153-162. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30476/tips.2020.87558.1063.
    12. Dresler S., Szymczak G., Wójcik M. Comparison of some secondary metabolite content in the seventeen species of the Boraginaceae family. Pharmaceutical biology. 2017; 55:691-695. DOI:10.1080/13880209.2016.1265986.
    13. Adai A.M. Chemotaxonomical study of the genera Brunnera (Schenk) Jonston, Choriantha H. Rirdel., Cynoglossum Mill., Solenanthus Ledeb. & Symphytum (Boiss.) L.(Boraginaceae) in Kurdistan region of Iraq by using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Diyala Journal for Pure Sciences. 2017; 13(3):88-103. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24237/djps.1303.215A.
    14. López-Bascón M., De Castro M.L. Soxhlet extraction. In Liquid-phase extraction. 2020: 327-354. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816911-7.00011-6.
    15. Joshi N., Bhatt S., Dhyani S., Nain J.JI.J.C.P.R. Phytochemical screening of secondary metabolites of Argemone mexicana linn. flowers. International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research. 2013; 5 (2):144-147.
    16. Yadav R., Agarwala M.JJop. Phytochemical analysis of some medicinal plants. Journal of phytology. 2011; 3 (12):10-14. DOI: https://updatepublishing.com/journal/index.php/jp/article/view/2737.
    17. Ramya P., Vasanth P., Prasad P., Babu S.JWJoP.R. Qualitative phytochemical screening tests of Alpinia galanga L. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2019; 8:1064-1077. DOI: 10.20959/wjpr20195-14624.
    18. Gholami Z., Heidari S., Raieszadeh M., Madahian A., Ayoobi F., Vakilian A., Jamali Z., Sadeghi T.JT: The Effect of Jollab Beverage on Fatigue and Happiness in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Triple-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. Traditional Integrative Medicine. 2025; 10(1): 30-37.DOI: http://doi.org/10.18502/tim.v10i1.18231.
    19. Tarzi M.E., Kordestani Z., Mehrabani M., Yahyapour R., Raeiszadeh M., Juybari K.B., Sharififar F. The effect of hydro alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa seeds on inflammatory mediators in C6 glioma cell line. In Annales pharmaceutiques francaises. 2023: 81(3): 446-456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharma.2022.10.002.
    20. Nematollahi M.H., Pardakhty A., Torkzadeh-Mahanai M., Mehrabani M., Asadikaram G. Changes in physical and chemical properties of niosome membrane induced by cholesterol: a promising approach for niosome bilayer intervention. RSC advances. 2017; 7:49463-49472. DOI: 10.1039/c7ra07834j.
    21. Mehrabani M., Jafarinejad-Farsangi S., Raeiszadeh M., Tarzi M.E., Sheikholeslami M., Nematollahi M.H., Khoshfekr V., Juybari K.B., Mehrabani M. Effects of the ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Terminalia chebula Retz. on proliferation, migration, and HIF-1α and CXCR-4 expression in MCF-7 cells: an in vitro study. Applied Biochemistry Biotechnology. 2023; 195:3327-3344.DOI: 10.1007/s12010-022-04301-z.
    22. Bui N.T., Pham T-L.T., Nguyen K.T., Le P.H., Kim K-H.J.R.A.C. Effect of extraction solvent on total phenol, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of Avicennia officinalis. Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry. 2021; 12:2678-2690. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33263/BRIAC122.26782690.
    23. Do Q.D., Angkawijaya A.E., Tran-Nguyen P.L., Huynh L.H., Soetaredjo F.E., Ismadji S., Ju Y-H. Effect of extraction solvent on total phenol content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of Limnophila aromatica. Journal of Food Drug Analysis. 2014; 22:296-302.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfda.2013.11.001.
    24. Sukweenadhi J., Setiawan F., Yunita O., Kartini K., Avanti C. Antioxidant activity screening of seven Indonesian herbal extract. Biodiversitas. 2020; 21:2062-2067. DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d210532.
    25. Chatha S.A.S., Anwar F., Manzoor M., Bajwa J-u-R. Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of rice bran extracts using different antioxidant assays. Grasas y Aceites. 2006; 57:328-335. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3989/gya.2006.v57.i3.56.
    26. Li H-y., Hao Z-b., Wang X-l., Huang L., Li J-p. Antioxidant activities of extracts and fractions from Lysimachia foenum-graecum Hance. Bioresource Technology. 2009;100:970-974. DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.07.021.
    27. Chaves Lobón N., Santiago A., Alías Gallego J.C. Quantification of the Antioxidant Activity of Plant Extracts: Analysis of Sensitivity and Hierarchization Based on the Method Used. Antioxidants. 2020. 9(1):76. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9010076.
    28. Gopinathan M., Duraipandian M., Nair L.R. Exploring the antioxidant activity of root extracts of Heliotropium indicum L. Plant Root. 2025; 19:38-48. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3117/plantroot.19.38.
    29. Boskovic I., Dukić D., Mandic L., Mašković P., Govedarica-Lucic A. Antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of selected plant species of the boraginaceae family. Agriculture & Forestry. 2021; 67 (2): 53-61. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17707/AgricultForest.67.2.04.
    30. Atessahin D.A., Dalkilic S., Dalkilic L.K., Bayindir D., Cetinkaya E.J.IJoP.B.P. Evaluation of cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activi-ties of Echium italicum L. in MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines. International Journal of Plant Based Pharmaceuticals. 2025; 5:25-32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62313/ijpbp.2025.259.
    31. Erdoğan M.K., Geçibesler İ.H., Behçet L.J.R.i.C. Chemical constituents, antioxidant, antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of a new endemic Boraginaceae species: Paracaryum bingoelianum. Results in Chemistry. 2020; 2:100032. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2020.100032.
    32. Karimi E., Oskoueian E., Karimi A., Noura R., Ebrahimi M.J.Jo.F.M. Borago officinalis L. flower: A comprehensive study on bioactive compounds and its health-promoting properties. Journal of Food Measurement Characterization. 2018; 12:826-838. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11694-017-9697-9.
    33. Poma P., Labbozzetta M., Notarbartolo M., Bruno M., Maggio A., Rosselli S., Sajeva M., Zito P.J.P.o. Chemical composition, in vitro antitumor and pro-oxidant activities of Glandora rosmarinifolia (Boraginaceae) essential oil. PloS one. 2018 ;13(5) :e0196947. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196947.
    34. Ghori M.K., Ghaffari M.A., Hussain S.N., Manzoor M., Aziz M., Sarwer W.J.T.J.P.S. Ethnopharmacological, phytochemical and pharmacognostic potential of genus Heliotropium L. Turkish Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2016; 13 (2):143-68. DOI: 10.5505/tjps.2016.20591.
    35. Santana L.C.L., Spolidorio L.C., Pitombo J.C.P., Basso F.G., Guarenghi G.G., Prates R.C., Steffens J.P. Testosterone increases fibroblast proliferation in vitro through androgen and estrogen receptor activation. Journal of the International Academy of Periodontology. 2020; 22(3):146-55.
Journal of Medicinal plants and By-products
Volume 15, Issue 6
November and December 2026
Pages 678-683

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics