Harnessing the antioxidant and cytoprotective power of Aitchisonia rosea: phytochemical insights and mechanistic validation
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Researchers |
Loai Aljerf, Abdullah H. Maad, Shahid Rasool and Muaaz Alajlani |
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Published in |
BMC Plant Biology, volume 25, issue 1, article number 1116, August 2025. |
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Abstract |
Background: Aitchisonia rosea (A. rosea), traditionally used for oxidative stress-related conditions, lacks comprehensive scientific validation of its antioxidant mechanisms and cellular protective effects. This study aimed to meticulously investigate the phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant capacity, and protective efficacy of A. rosea extracts and essential oil against oxidative damage in biomolecular and cellular models. Results: Analysis of the essential oil by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified key bioactive components, including sesquiterpenes (e.g., germacrene, beta-caryophyllene) and oxygenated monoterpenes (e.g., carvacrol, linalool). Various solvent extracts, particularly methanol, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions, along with the essential oil, demonstrated potent antioxidant activities across multiple assays including radical scavenging (DPPH), reducing power (FRAP), and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), indicating significant free radical neutralisation capabilities. Crucially, these samples provided substantial protection against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced genotoxicity, evidenced by reduced DNA damage in comet assays and enhanced preservation of plasmid DNA integrity in gel-based assays. Furthermore, the extracts and essential oil significantly inhibited oxidative haemolysis in red blood cells (RBCs), demonstrating effective membrane stabilisation. Throughout all biological assessments, low cytotoxicity profiles were observed, as demonstrated by the haemolytic assay, affirming the safety of the tested materials. Conclusions: The findings substantiate the remarkable antioxidant and cytoprotective potential of A. rosea, primarily attributed to its rich array of polyphenolic, flavonoid, and terpenoid compounds. The demonstrated ability to safeguard both DNA and erythrocyte membranes from oxidative insults establishes A. rosea as a scientifically validated candidate for further pharmaceutical and industrial development, particularly for applications targeting oxidative stress-mediated diseases. Key words: Cytoprotective, Aitchisonia rosea, Oxidative stress, Essential oil, Genotoxicity, DNA integrity, Red blood cell, Natural antioxidant, Phytochemical profiling, Free radical scavenging. |
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