Phytochemical Profiling and In Vitro Assessment of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Sonchus arvensis L.
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Abstract
Sonchus arvensis L., a traditionally used medicinal plant, was investigated for its phytochemical composition and in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Sequential extracts (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol, and aqueous) were screened qualitatively and quantitatively; the ethanolic extract (SEE) showed the highest levels of flavonoids (941.67 μg/g) and phenolics (74.77 μg/g). High-resolution Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (HR-LCMS) profiling of the petroleum ether and ethanolic extracts identified a variety of bioactive compounds, including 7(14)- bisabolene-2,3,10,11-tetrol, Nigakilactone B, tocopherol, ganoderiol H, liquiritic acid, and delta-maslinic acid. In vitro antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical, metal chelation, total antioxidant capacity, and reducing power) demonstrated that SEE exhibited the strongest scavenging and reducing activities, with ICso values ranging from ~240 to -320 μg/mL. Anti-inflammatory potential was confirmed via inhibition of albumin denaturation, human red blood cell membrane stabilization, and protease inhibitory assays; SEE showed up to -80% inhibition in membrane stabilization and ICso values between ~245 and ~251 μg/mL. These findings suggest that the mid-polar constituents of S. arvensis L. particularly in the ethanolic extract, contribute to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Further in vivo studies and mechanistic analyses are warranted to assess its therapeutic potential.