Chromatographic Analysis, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, and Antalgic Activities of Hydromethanolic Extract and Essential Oil from Inula viscosa L. Roots.

Abstract

This study investigates the chemical composition and biological properties of the hydromethanolic extract (HME) and essential oil (EO) derived from Inula viscosa L. roots. HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of hesperin (29.05 %), naringenin (10.55 %), kaempferide (1.08 %), and tangeritin (0.36 %) in the HME. GC-FID and GC-MS analysis of the EO indicated that the predominant compounds were β-acorenol (11.36 %) and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis (2-methylpropyl) ester (9.83%). The HME contained a significant amount of polyphenols (34.58 mg GAE.g-1 extract). All extracts exhibited high antioxidant activity, outperforming standard antioxidants such as BHT, vitamins E, and C. Furthermore, the extracts demonstrated moderate antimicrobial and high cytotoxic activities against selected microbial strains and Artemia salina, respectively as well as potent antalgic effects comparable to paracetamol (88.35 %). The findings highlight the value of Inula viscosa roots as a natural resource for a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture. Its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties make it an appealing candidate for use as a natural preservative.