Phytochemical study and biological activities of Teucrium mideltense (Batt.) Humbert.

Abstract

Teucrium mideltense (Batt.) Humbert (T. mideltense) is an endemic Moroccan species that grows exclusively in the Oriental High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. In this work, we aim at determining the chemical profile and biological properties of the traditionally used aqueous extract of this plant. HPLC analysis, estimation of the amounts of total phenolic compounds including flavonoids, and in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated according to the literature procedures (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP). Additionally, safety assessment was carried out according to the organization for economic cooperation and development guidelines and the anti-hyperlipidemic activity was evaluated in triton-induced hyperlipidemic rat model. Our findings revealed that the aqueous extract of this plant contains significant amounts of phenolic compounds (91.94 mg GAE/gE) including flavonoids (27.41 mg RE/gE). HPLC analysis revealed the presence of vanillic acid, hesperidin, and rutin. Moreover, a considerable in vitro antioxidant effect was evaluated (DPPH IC50 = 36.10± 0.02 μg/mL; ABTS IC50 = 34.98± 1.31 μg/mL; FRAP EC50 = 129.74±2.18 μg/mL). Furthermore, T. mideltense (Batt.) Maire extract exerted significant lipid-lowering effects by reducing the levels of total cholesterol (-88.78%), triglycerides (-62.12%), and non-HDL cholesterol (-68.37%). We conclude that the supplementation with the aqueous extract of T. mideltense would be effective in lowering lipids under hyperlipidemic conditions.