Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Immunomodulatory Activity of Mandragora autumnalis Grown in Jordan

Abstract

Background: The activity of phytochemicals has a huge impact on pharmaceutical research and developing new drugs. Hence, numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the efficacy of different natural products and their potential to be used in different types of therapy. Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the biological activity of M. autumnalis crude extract and fractions, and the assessment included antimicrobial activity, radical scavenging potential, and their effect on the immune system. The work also emphasizes determining the chemical constituents and the main bioactive compounds in M. autumnalis leaves. Methods: Ethanol crude extract was prepared by maceration method, followed by solvents fractionation using n-hexane, aqueous/methanol, and water. Phytochemical analysis of ethanol extract using LC-MS and total phenolic and flavonoid content were conducted. The immunomodulatory activity was also evaluated by measuring the effect of M. autumnalis on splenocyte proliferation in the presence and absence of mitogens. Nitro blue tetrazolium assay and neutral red method have been used to determine the effect of M. autumnalis on the phagocytic activity of macrophages and the function of pinocytosis, respectively. Antibacterial assay was applied using the microtiter plate dilution method, and DPPH assay was used to determine the antioxidant activity. Results: The phytochemical analysis has shown the presence of flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds, and other organic acids like quinic and chlorogenic acids. M. autumnalis aqueous fraction exhibited high antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ value of 23.67±0.3 μg/ml. Ethanol extract and n-hexane fraction inhibited the bacterial growth of P. auriginosa with an MIC value of 25 mg/ml, while n-hexane fraction was more active against C. albicans with an MIC value of 12.5 mg/ml. On the other hand, the immune assay revealed a slight modulation of the lymphocyte and macrophage activity compared to the control results. Conclusion: The results suggested that M. autumnalis leaves are rich in polyphenolic compounds and its crude extract and fractions exhibited antimicrobial and antioxidant potential. However, further research is needed to understand the effect of M. autumnalis on the immune parameters.