Antibacterial, anti-hemolytic, and antioxidant activities of the n-butanol extract and four isolated compounds of Pituranthos scoparius L. collected from Algeria

The Mediterranean plant Pituranthos scoparius L. has been utilized in traditional medicine to cure several illnesses. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial, anti-hemolytic (against AAPH-induced hemolysis), and antioxidant effects of the n-butanol P. scoparius stem extract/compounds; the four isolated compounds from the n-butanol extract of P. scoparius were: isorhamnetin-3-O-β-glucoside (C1), isorhamnetin-3-O-β-apiofuranosyl (1→2)-β glucopyranoside (C2), D-mannitol (C3), and isorhamnetin-3-O-β-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-glucopyranoside (C4). Results showed that the n-butanol extract and the four isolated compounds have no effect against all tested bacteria strains. Results from antihemolytic activity demonstrated a significant dose-dependent reduction in AAPH-induced hemolysis. At 100 µg/mL, C1 and C4 inhibited AAPH-induced hemolysis (HT50 = 106.42 ± 2.75 and 99.84 ± 8.37 min, respectively) more than aspirin as standard (HT50 = 97.28 ± 3.42 min), followed by C2 (HT50 = 90.48 ± 5.14 min). The n-butanol extract/compounds showed significant efficiency in scavenging DPPH radical, β-carotene bleaching inhibition, and chelate ferrous ions. However, C2 was more efficient (IC50 = 15.37 ± 0.00 μg/mL) in scavenging DPPH than the other isolated compounds. Results also demonstrate that P. scoparius exhibits substantial anti-hemolytic and antioxidant activities, likely attributable to its phenolic composition. Our results showed, for the first time, that P. scoparius effectively attenuates AAPH-induced hemolysis. This suggests that the plant could be utilized to prevent and treat hemolytic anemia and is a promising source of natural antioxidants.