Investigation and Biological Assessment of Rumex vesicarius L. Extract: Characterization of the Chemical Components and Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, and Anti-Dengue Vector Activity

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the biological potency and chemical composition of Rumex vesicarius aboveground parts using GC–MS. In this approach, 44 components were investigated, comprising 99.99% of the total volatile compounds. The major components were classified as fatty acids and lipids (51.36%), oxygenated hydrocarbons (33.59%), amines (7.35%), carbohydrates (6.06%), steroids (1.21%), and alkaloids (0.42%). The major components were interpreted as 1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-yl oleate (oxygenated hydrocarbons, 18.96%), ethyl 2-hydroxycyclohexane-1-carboxylate (ester of fatty acid, 17.56%), and 2-propyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-ol (oxygenated hydrocarbons, 11.18%). The DPPH antioxidant activity of the extracted components of R. vesicarius verified that the shoot extract was the most potent with IC50 = 28.89 mg/L, with the percentages of radical scavenging activity at 74.28% ± 3.51%. The extracted plant, on the other hand, showed substantial antibacterial activity against the diverse bacterial species, namely, Salmonella typhi (23.46 ± 1.69), Bacillus cereus (22.91 ± 0.96), E. coli (21.07 ± 0.80), and Staphylococcus aureus (17.83 ± 0.67). In addition, the extracted plant was in vitro assessed as a considerable anticancer agent on HepG2 cells, in which MTT, cell proliferation cycle, and DNA fragmentation assessments were applied on culture and treated cells. The larvicidal efficacy of the extracted plant was also evaluated against Aedes aegypti, the dengue disease vector. As a result, we may infer that R. vesicarius extract increased cytocompatibility and cell migratory capabilities, and that it may be effective in mosquito control without causing harm.

Chemical Composition of Reichardia tingitana Methanolic Extract and Its Potential Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic and Larvicidal Activity

“…These outcomes also line up with those attained by Salama et al [ 40 ], who utilized Rumex vesicarius methanolic extract against A. aegypti larvae and found that the LC 50 and LC 90 values were 19.99 and 36.12 mg L −1 after 24 h. Shehata [ 57 ] reported that petroleum ether extract from leaves of Prunus domestica and Rhamnus cathartica was more effective against Culex pipiens (LC 50 : 33.3 and 63.4 mg L −1 , respectively) than chloroform (LC 50 : 70.8 and 192.1 mg L −1 ) and methanolic extracts (LC 50 : 132.7 and 273.5 mg L −1 , respectively). Ullah et al [ 56 ] recorded LC 50 and LC 90 values of Cassia fistula and Nicotiana tabacum extracts of 50.27, 203.99, and 17.77 and 206.49 mg L −1 against larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus .…”

“…Several previous experiments on the essential oil and n.hexane extract of the aerial parts of R. tingitana confirm that they were potent antibacterials against both Gram positive and negative bacteria [ 17 ]. These variations in the antibacterial potential may be explained by variances in the extracts’ chemical composition caused by environmental factors, such as geographical variability, soil type, and climate [ 39 , 40 ].…”

“…Furthermore, it has been noted that MeOH extracts of wild plants contain a variety of different chemical compounds, including phenolic compounds and its derivative compounds, the esters of weak acids, fatty acids, and terpenes, and others. As a result, these chemical components can affect multiple target sites against the bacterial cells, with minor variations [ 40 , 42 , 43 ]. In order to determine the bacterial species’ efficacy against the extracts that were considered, its composition should be studied.…”

“…Many polyphenols, such as isoflavones, are phytoestrogens that may bind to estrogen receptors and have an estrogenic impact on the tissues or organs they are intended to affect. Additionally, newly identified substances, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids, could be to blame for the anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects of plant extracts [ 40 , 51 ]. R. tingitana contains nonvolatile substances, such flavonoids and phenolics in the current investigation.…”

“…The LC 50 (the concentration of extract that causes 50% death) of extract is 46.85, 35.75, and 29.38 mg L −1 for the various time periods of 24, 48, and 72 h, whereas the LC 90 (the concentration of extract that causes 90% mortality) is 82.66, 63.82, and 53.30 mg L −1 , respectively ( Table 5 ). The different bioactive chemicals, such as phenolics, terpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids, either as single or combined compounds, determine the toxicity of the plants [ 40 , 54 ]. Additionally, desert plants, such as R. tingitana , are a rich source of bioactive chemicals that can be used as larvicides, pupicides, or mosquito repellents [ 55 , 56 ].…”