PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL OF ZYGOPHYLLUM CORNUTUM COSS

Zygophyllum cornutum Coss belongs to the family of zygophylaceae which gathers 500 species distributed on 25 genera. These species are found in arid regions and represent more than 3% of the Sahara flora. This plant is well known for its therapeutic virtues and has traditionally been used for its anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antispasmodic as well as anti-diarrheal properties. It is also beneficial in lowering high levels of lipids and cholesterol in the blood. The present study aims to investigate the phytochemical profile as well as the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of Zygophyllum cornutum Coss. Colourimetric and precipitation assays were conducted on the aqueous extract of the plant to investigate the presence of certain secondary metabolites. Antioxidant effect via DPPH assay which allows the determination of free radical scavenging activity was evaluated. The anti-inflammatory activity was measured following Carrageenan-Induced Paw Edema method. The results revealed the presence of several secondary metabolites in the aqueous plant extract including flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, saponosides and alkaloids. With regard to the antioxidant effect, in vitro antioxidant potential of the methanol extract by the DPPH test exhibited an appreciable activity. The percentage inhibition of free radicals reached 10.9% and 75.15% at the concentration of 2.5 mg / ml and 25 mg / ml; respectively. 16.4 mg/ml was the concentration required to inhibit 50% of the free radicals. With respect to the anti-inflammatory activity, the 10% aqueous extract displayed a non-negligible anti-inflammatory effect. This extract reduced carrageenin-induced inflammation in mice in the same way as Diclofenac (12.5 mg / kg). The percentage of edema inhibition following aqueous extract administration reached 58.56% compared to 56.25% induced by Diclofenac. In conclusion, phytochemical profiling of Zygophyllum cornutum coss confirmed its richness in phenols and saponosides that possess a wide range of therapeutic virtues.