Effect of habitat variation on physiological response, chemical compositions and antioxidants, of Ephedra alata (stapf) Andr

Abstract

Ephedra alata is a widespread shrub found in various countries that originates from Southwestern North America, Southern Europe, and North Africa. This medicinal plant is part of the Ephedra genus, family Ephedraceae. The plant was collected from Wadi Arar, Northern Regions, and Wadi Hagul, Cairo/Suez Road, to investigate how the plant's chemical composition and antioxidant capacities are affected by habitat variation. The findings revealed notable variations in the total phenolic, total flavonoid, antioxidant activity, and soil analysis aspects between the two regions under investigation. The reducing ability of ferric ion of the plant extracts is present as 858.0 ± 38.95 μMTE/mg extract of plant growing in Arar region, while the reducing ability of E. alata growing in Egypt has Ec50 (650.0 ± 29.85) by FRAB methods. The plants extract of E. alata quench both ABTS and DPPH free radical. The sample showed higher ABTS scavenging activity (228± 195 μMTE / mg for the plant growing in Arar region while the plant ephedra growing in Wadi Hagul showed lower scavenging activity 185± 285 Umte/MG) in addition the two-plant showed high antioxidant activity when evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging test with IC50 (458.0 ± 38.95 ug/mL and 425± 28.9/mL). Total phenolic was determined by Folin-Ciocalteau method, However, the aluminum chloride consider was additionally employed to estimate the total flavonoid., the results showed high phenolic content (62.177 mg GAE), and high flavonoid content (39.6148± 3.816mg/g extract) for plant growing in Arar region than plant growing in Wadi Hagul, which have (45.60 mg GAE and 29.615 mg rutin/ mg Extract). Finally, the study reflects high variation between two habitats, this corresponding to two variations in climate change and different environmental conditions.