Fatiha Lehfa - Laboratory Research on Biological Systems and Geomatics, Department of Biology, University of Mustapha Stambouli, Mascara, ۲۹۰۰۰, Algeria
Hamza Belkhodja - Laboratory of Bioconversion, Microbiology Engineering and Health Safety, Department of Biology, University of Mustapha Stambouli, Mascara, ۲۹۰۰۰, Algeria
Fatima Sahnouni - Laboratory Research on Biological Systems and Geomatics, Department of Biology, University of Mustapha Stambouli, Mascara, ۲۹۰۰۰, Algeria

Introduction: Arbutus unedo L., is an evergreen plant belonging to the Ericaceae family, an endemic species of the Mediterranean flora. The aim of this study was to characterize the polyphenolic extract of A. unedo fruits with phytochemical analysis followed by evaluation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.Materials and Methods: Antioxidant activity was determined using the scavenging activity of DPPH free radical and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay. Then, the anti-inflammatory potential of A. unedo extracts was evaluated using Human Red Blood Cells (HRBC) membrane stabilization, and egg albumin denaturation assays.Results: The highest total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin content was recorded in the methanolic extract with ۶۱.۹۶ ± ۵.۳۳ mg GAE/g, ۵۱.۱۶ ± ۰.۵۷ mg QE/g, and ۲.۴۰ ± ۰.۱۴ mg CE/g, respectively. On the other hand, the best radical scavenging activity (IC۵۰ = ۰.۴۵۹ ± ۰.۰۲۲ mg/ml) and the highest reducing power activity (EC۵۰ = ۰.۴۷۱ ± ۰.۰۲۲ mg/ml) were exhibited by the methanolic extract A. unedo. Whereas regarding the anti-inflammatory activities, A. unedo aqueous extract exerted the highest HRBC stabilization of ۷۰.۸۶ ± ۰.۶۱% and Egg albumin denaturation inhibition of ۷۰.۰۶ ± ۰.۶۸%.Conclusions: Overall, the results suggest that aqueous and methanolic extracts of A. unedo fruits can be used as future ethnomedicinal antioxidants and anti-inflammatories due to their rich content of bioactive molecules.

Arbutus unedo, polyphenols, oxidative stress, Inflammation, Phytochemical screening