Vol.10 No.1 – 3: Exploring the Phytochemical Composition of Methanolic Extract from Launaea nudicaulis: Investigating its Antioxidant, Anticancer, and Anti-Dengue Activities against Aedes aegypti

Abadi M. Mashlawi¹, Areshi S.¹, Naimah Asid H Alanazi², Gamal Mohamed ³, Abdel Daim Z. J.¹, Mohammed A. Alfattah¹, Dalia A. Mohamed⁴, Eman Fayad⁵ and Salama A. Salama^{1 *}

1. Biology Department, College of Science, Jazan University, Jazan City/ Postal code 82817/ Saudi Arabia

2. Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Ha’il, KSA.

3. Human Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, KSA.

4- Biology Department, University College of Al Khurmah, Taif University P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, KSA

5- Biotechnology Department College of Sciences, Taif University P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944 KSA

ABSTRACT

Asteraceae is considered to be one of the most medicinal significant families. One family species Launaea nudicaulis is globally used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. The objective of the current investigation was to evaluate the chemical composition of the methanol extract of L. nudicaulis and its possible biological impacts. In the present study, the GC-MS analysis identified 10 components, with fatty acid derivatives, terpenes, and alkaloids as the main compound classes. The major components are (2E,6E,10E)-3,7,11,15-Tetramethyl-2,6,10,14-hexadecatetraenyl acetate (29.20%), 2-Ethylhexanoic acid (24.57%) and thunbergol (20.53%). The antioxidant assay shows the L. nudicaulis extract has good DPPH radical scavenging ability with an IC₅₀ value for the shoot extract is 32.52 mg/L., which is linked to its phytochemical composition. The cytotoxicity results demonstrate selective anticancer effects of the extract against HepG- 2 and PC3 cells compared to normal cells. The MeOH extract demonstrated an IC₅₀ value of 38.56 and 46.30 µg/ml of HePG-2 and PC3 cancer cells, respectively. Additionally, the extract’s excellent position as a perfect natural insecticide is highlighted in the current work. Using methanol as a solvent, the extract shows great larvicidal potential against Aedes aegypti L. Researchers are encouraged to employ natural insecticides when the insects are still young, not when they are older. The findings validate the traditional therapeutic applications of wild plants.Asteraceae is considered to be one of the most medicinal significant families. One family species Launaea nudicaulis is globally used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. The objective of the current investigation was to evaluate the chemical composition of the methanol extract of L. nudicaulis and its possible biological impacts. In the present study, the GC-MS analysis identified 10 components, with fatty acid derivatives, terpenes, and alkaloids as the main compound classes. The major components are (2E,6E,10E)-3,7,11,15-Tetramethyl-2,6,10,14-hexadecatetraenyl acetate (29.20%), 2-Ethylhexanoic acid (24.57%) and thunbergol (20.53%). The antioxidant assay shows the L. nudicaulis extract has good DPPH radical scavenging ability with an IC₅₀ value for the shoot extract is 32.52 mg/L., which is linked to its phytochemical composition. The cytotoxicity results demonstrate selective anticancer effects of the extract against HepG- 2 and PC3 cells compared to normal cells. The MeOH extract demonstrated an IC₅₀ value of 38.56 and 46.30 µg/ml of HePG-2 and PC3 cancer cells, respectively. Additionally, the extract’s excellent position as a perfect natural insecticide is highlighted in the current work. Using methanol as a solvent, the extract shows great larvicidal potential against Aedes aegypti L. Researchers are encouraged to employ natural insecticides when the insects are still young, not when they are older. The findings validate the traditional therapeutic applications of wild plants.

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