Metabolic Profiling, GC‐MS, LC‐ESI‐MS/MS Analysis, Phenolics Isolation and Biological Evaluation of the Aerial Parts Extracts of Felicia abyssinica L.

Abstract

AbstractFelicia abyssinica L., family Asteraceae, is widely used in folk medicine. This represents the first study to investigate its phytoconstituents and pharmacological effects. Phytoconstituents identified by GC‐MS, LC‐ESI‐MS/MS‐based metabolomics, and NMR (1D & 2D). GC‐MS of the (FAMEs) revealed mainly the identification of 55 fatty acids. LC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis resulted in the tentative identity of 13 compounds representing flavonoids, phenolics, and fatty acids. Ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest total flavonoids 66.19 mg/mL Rutin equivalent, while the methanolic fraction showed the highest phenolics 87.70 mg/mL gallic acid equivalent, and the total condensed tannins were 64.35 μg CE/mg catechins equivalent. A flavonoid and a cinnamic acid derivative were identified as quercetin 3‐O‐(2′′′‐O‐acetyl) rutinoside (Mumikotin A) (1) and Methyl sinapate (2). Biological evaluation of antioxidant and cytotoxic activities was carried out. Cytotoxicity was examined on HepG‐2 cell lines where the average cell viability was 91.42 % and 52.48 % for concentrations 10 and 100 μg/mL respectively. Methylene chloride and methanolic fractions showed the highest antioxidant activity 225 μg/mL Ascorbic acid equivalents. It is hypothesized that high phenolics, flavonoid content, and oxygenated identified compounds contribute to the antioxidant activity and can be regarded as a promising species for nutraceuticals active antioxidants with potential value for remedy.