Enzyme inhibitory, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Anabasis articulata phenolic-rich extract; in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies

The present study aimed at characterizing the phenolic composition of the aqueous extract from Anabasis articulata and its biological properties, in terms of in vitro antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects. The phytocomplex was investigated by HPLC-DAD analysis, whereas total phenolics, tannins and flavonoids using spectrophotometric methods. The antioxidant property of the extract was determined applying four assays (i.e. total antioxidant capacity, reducing power, DPPH, and beta-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching). The enzymatic inhibitory function was evaluated against tyrosinase and acetylcholinesterase, whereas toxicological and anti-inflammatory aspects through in vivo evaluations. More in detail, twenty-one specific phenolic compounds were successfully detected, identified, and quantified in the plant extract, which showed considerable antioxidant potential. The aqueous preparation also revealed a high anti-tyrosinase and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity. In particular, an in-silico prediction analysis, by molecular docking approach, was performed to understand which plant metabolite from A. articulata could be potentially responsible for acetylcholinesterase inhibition, favoring the identification of putative new compounds useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. All the present evidence could partially explain and justify the therapeutic efficacy of the Algerian traditional medicine linked to the application of A. articulata aqueous extract.