Phytochemical Profile and Multi-Target Bioactivity of Libyan Endemic Arbutus Pavarii Fruit Extract: Antimicrobial, Anti-H. Pylori, Anticancer, and Neuroprotective Evaluation

Abstract

Background:

Arbutus pavarii (Ericaceae) is an endemic Libyan shrub traditionally used to treat gastritis, kidney disorders, and infections. Despite its ethnomedicinal relevance, scientific evidence of its pharmacological potential is limited.

Objective:

To characterize the phytochemical composition of A. pavarii fruit methanolic extract and evaluate its antimicrobial, anti-Helicobacter pylori, anticancer, and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities.

Methods:

The methanolic extract was analyzed using HPLC and GC-MS. Total phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and terpenoids were quantified by spectrophotometry.

Antimicrobial activity was assessed via disk diffusion method, anti H. pylori activity through micro-dilution assay, and anticancer potential with MTT assay on five human cancer cell lines, and anti-Alzheimer's with acetylcholinesterase inhibition assay.

Results:

The extract contained high phenolic (25.33 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (21.00 mg QE/g), tannins at (8.99 mg TAE/g), saponins (11.33 mg AE/g), alkaloids (9.86 μg/g), and terpenoids (7.49 mg LE/g).

The extract showed selective inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus (9 mm), bactericidal anti-H. pylori activity (MIC 67 µg/mL, MBC 139 µg/mL), cytotoxicity against HL-60 leukemia cells (IC₅₀ 193.65 µg/mL),and acetylcholinesterase inhibition (IC₅₀ 20.37 µg/mL).

Conclusion:

A. pavarii fruit extract exhibits multi-target therapeutic potential, supporting its traditional use and encouraging further in vivo and mechanistic studies.