Bioactive Compounds From Argania spinosa (L.) Skeel: Extraction, Phytocomplex Characterization, and Biological Activities

Abstract

This study evaluates the chemical profile and biological properties of leaf and seed extracts from the argan tree, Argania spinosa. The mineral content in the leaf powder was examined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), the phenolic content in the methanol extract (ME) was analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection (HPLC–DAD), and the fatty acid composition in the petroleum ether extract (PEE) was determined through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The biological activities of both extracts were evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) methods. This included testing the inhibition of the enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), α-amylase, and α-glucosidase. The results showed that the extracts from the argan leaves and seeds were abundant in trace elements, mainly iron and zinc. Potassium was the most abundant element, followed by phosphorus and calcium among the major elements. HPLC–DAD analysis identified several phenolic compounds, primarily rutin, catechin, and pyrocatechol. GC–MS analysis detected 19 fatty acids in the leaf extracts, with oleic acid and linoleic acid being the most common, while in the seed extracts, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid were predominant. The methanol leaf extracts showed stronger antioxidant effects with significantly lower IC₅₀ values in DPPH tests (74.9 ± 3.81 μg/mL) compared to the seeds. In addition, these extracts displayed significant anticholinesterase activity (15.96 ± 0.40 μg/m) and α-glucosidase inhibition (48.98 ± 5.58 μg/mL). This research offers new insights into the key phenolic compounds and biological properties linked to the argan tree.