Phytochemical composition, antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties of Genista ferox Poirret. aerial parts

Introduction: Medicinal applications of Genista species throughout the Mediterranean area are widespread. More specifically, Genista ferox Poirret., endemic to North Africa, holds important diuretic, anti-gout and -rheumatism actions. It is also employed for the treatment of scrofulous tumors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-proliferative effects of the ethanolic extract and isolated fractions of aerial parts of G. ferox. Identification by UPLC and NMR analyses of constituents of the most active fraction was equally carried out. Methods: Genista ferox extract and fractions were examined for their total flavonoid content, scavenging activities against DPPH, ABTS and OH center dot radicals, H2O2 elimination, Fe+ + chelating capacity. Anti-proliferative activity using breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7) and CDC25 phosphatase was also assessed. Results: Significant levels of flavonoids were recorded in FIII fraction which exhibited the highest inhibition percentages against DPPH (95.79 +/- 1.37), ABTS (83.17 +/- 4.30) (p < 0.01), OH center dot (56.49 +/- 0.05) (p < 0.001) and H2O2 (91.08 +/- 0.99) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, results revealed that FIII displayed the best anti-proliferative activity against MCF-7 cells (IC50 < 5 mu g/mL) and inhibited strongly CDC25 A, B and C with IC50 of 10.16 +/- 0.44, 49.36 +/- 0.28 and 31.21 +/- 0.6 mu g/mL, respectively). The remarkable antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of FIII could be attributed to five identified flavonoids: beta-sitosterol-beta-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), genistein (2), luteolin (3), luteolin 7- O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4) and Chrysin 7 (4 ''-O-acetyl) - O-beta-glucopyranoside (5). Conclusion: Data from the present study suggest that Genista ferox is a rich source for value-added molecules as potential antioxidants and anti-proliferative agents for optimal human health.