Phytochemical analysis and antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic activities of different solvent extracts of Zygophyllum fabago L.

Abstract

This study investigates the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties of six solvent extracts (ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane) obtained from the roots and aerial parts of Zygophyllum fabago L. growing in the arid and saline regions of southern Kazakhstan. Antioxidant potential was assessed using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays, with Trolox as a reference standard. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts was determined using the broth microdilution method. The ethanol extract of aerial parts demonstrated the highest total phenolic content (128.29 ± 0.81 mg GAE/g) and the strongest antioxidant activity (DPPH SC50 = 42.57 ± 3.03 µg/mL), where SC50 represents the concentration required to scavenge 50% of free radicals. Ethyl acetate extracts exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, particularly against E.coli and C.albicans (MIC <9 µg/mL). Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay on NIH-3T3, K562, and Saos cell lines. The ethyl acetate extracts (both roots and aerial parts) were most effective against K562 leukemia cells, with IC50 values of 121.0 ± 2.5 µg/mL and 120.4 ± 3.1 µg/mL, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of Z. fabago extracts as natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents.