In vitro and in vivo bioactivities of Ambrosia maritima and Bituminaria bituminosa organic extracts from Algeria

Introduction: Two medicinal plants, Ambrosia maritima and Bituminaria bituminosa, growing in Algeria were investigated for their flavonoids content and their biological activities. Methodology: Different organic extracts were prepared from the aerial parts of each plant using maceration method followed by liquid/liquid type extractions. The anti-antioxidant activity was tested using the beta-carotene bleaching method. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested by performing the protein anti-denaturation assay. Acute toxicity and immunostimulatory effect were tested in mice, while the antimicrobial activity was tested according to the minimal inhibition concentration technique. Results: In term of flavonoids content, ethyl acetate extract of B. bituminosa was the highest (193.39 +/- 24.1 mu g QE/mg). Ethyl acetate extract of A. maritima showed antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 11.72 +/- 0.79 mu g/mL. The hydroethanolic extract of A. maritima showed the best anti-denaturation effect in a dose-dependent manner with the IC50 value of 131.07 +/- 0.027 mu g/mL. The studied plants showed no toxicity or mortality in vivo. Both plants showed a significant immunostimulatory effect; while the Butanolic extract of B. bituminosa demonstrated the best antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans strains. Conclusions: We recommend A. maritima and B. bituminosa as potent sources of antioxidants and as antimicrobial agents for further assays to better elucidate their actions on the immune system.