Phytochemical Characterization, In Vitro Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, and Antibacterial Effects of Aristolochia longa L.,

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The aim of this study was devoted, in the one hand, to determine a preliminary phytochemical screening of methanolic and aqueous root extracts of Aristolochia longa L. In the other hand, polyphenols and flavonoids contents, in vitro antioxidant, antitumor, and antibacterial activities of the organic extract of A. longa were determined. Phytochemical screening was carried out using standard methods of precipitation and coloration reactions. The total phenol content and flavonoid contents were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and Aluminum chloride colorimetric method, respectively. Antioxidant activity was studied using DPPH assay. The cytotoxic activity of extracts was evaluated against three cancerous cell lines using MTT assay, and antibacterial activity was tested against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Rhodococcus equi, and Staphylococcus aureus using the agar well diffusion assay. Preliminary phytochemical screening for aqueous and ethanolic extracts revealed the presence of starch, tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, and anthocyanins. The total phenol content of A. longa extracts showed that the methanol extract has the highest polyphenol and flavonoid concentrations with 101.4 mg GAE (Gallic acid equivalent)/g and 54.21 mg QE (Quercetin equivalent)/g extract, respectively. The methanolic extract also exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity of DPPH (IC50 = 1.32 mg/mL). While hexane extract exhibited both a potent inhibitory effect on VERO cell growth with IC50 = 15.125 μg/mL and a total inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zone 8.5 mm. The high content of polyphenols in A. longa explains their antioxidant, antitumor, and antibacterial activity. Thus, this plant could be a significant source of natural compounds in preventing the development of cancer.