Antioxidant, Enzyme Inhibitory, Antifungal, and Cytotoxic Activities of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. Extracts: Potential Applications as NaturalPreservatives and Therapeutic Agents

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this research was to investigate the potential of Ambrosia artemisifolia L. Methanolic (EMAA) and Chloroformic (ECAA) extracts as natural preservatives and therapeutic agents by analysing the biological activities of these extracts. Methods: Total polyphenol content, antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, and CUPRAC), enzyme inhibitory (butyrylcholinesterase, alpha-amylase), antifungal (against tomato infections), and cytotoxic (on Artemia salina and mealworm larvae) activities were analysed. Results: According to the findings, the total polyphenol content of EMAA was found to be substantially greater (58.01 ± 5.19 μg GAE/mg) compared to that of ECAA (28.01 ± 0.67 μg GAE/mg). EMAA displayed higher antioxidant effectiveness in ABTS (IC50 = 34.03 ± 3.50 μg/mL) and CUPRAC (A0.5 = 71.24 ± 2.14 μg/mL) assays compared to ECAA (ABTS IC50 = 76.07 ± 3.31 μg/mL; CUPRAC A0.5 = 101.54 ± 1.79 μg/mL). In contrast, the IC50 of ECAA was shown to be lower in the DPPH assay (63.04 ± 0.20 μg/mL) compared to that of EMAA (83.64 ± 1.74 μg/mL respectively). The enzyme inhibition of ECAA was shown to be more effective than that of the other compound (butyrylcholinesterase: 39.92 ± 2.31% versus 13.63 ± 4.66%; alphaamylase IC50 = 69.22 ± 4.58 μg/mL versus 79.66 ± 3.23 μg/mL). Tomatoes were protected from fungal infections by both extracts (7.14 percent infection rate compared to 0 percent for copper sulphate infections). When administered at a concentration of 400 μg/mL, EMAA generated a mortality rate of 30% in Artemia salina, whereas ECAA induced a mortality rate of 62.5%. However, neither of these agents had any effect on mealworm larvae at a concentration of 4 mg/mL. Discussion: It is important to note that the specific enzyme inhibition provided by ECAA and the powerful antioxidant capabilities of EMAA emphasise the complementing usage of these two compounds. Due to its low toxicity in mealworms and its antifungal activity, it appears to be suitable for use in agricultural factories. Conclusion: Extracts of A. artemisifolia, in particular EMAA and ECAA, have the potential to be used as natural preservatives and medicinal agents due to the bioactivity and safety profile of these extracts. conclusion: The results of this study on the extracts of Ambrosia artemisiifolia reveal a significant richness in bioactive compounds, confirming the traditional use of this plant for its therapeutic properties. The evaluation of biological activities, including antioxidant, anticholinesterase, antidiabetic, anti-urease, and antifungal activities, demonstrates the potential of these extracts in the treatment of various diseases. Regarding toxicity, the results show that the extracts at concentrations of 4 mg/ml did not cause significant mortality, suggesting a favorable safety profile for potential use in therapeutic formulations. Tests on Artemia salina larvae and other biological models also confirmed the low toxicity of the extracts, which is a crucial aspect for their future development. In summary, this study highlights the importance of Ambrosia artemisiifolia as a potential source of bioactive compounds, paving the way for further research to explore its applications in medicine and phytotherapy. The results also encourage more in-depth studies on the isolation and characterization of active compounds, as well as their mechanisms of action, to better understand their therapeutic potential