Assessment of Acute Toxicity and Analgesic Activity of Organic and Aqueous Fractions from Retama Monosperma Stems
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Retama monosperma, an endemic Mediterranean plant, is traditionally used for various illnesses
and various biological activities due to its bioactive phytochemicals. The current research study
investigated the acute toxicity and analgesic activity of the fractions from the stems of Retama
monosperma. These activities were conducted in vivo using animal models (Swiss albino mice
and Wistar Albino rats), focusing on the four fractions obtained from the stems of Retama
monosperma (hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and aqueous), through Soxhlet extraction. Acute
oral toxicity was assessed in mice, while analgesic activity was evaluated using the acetic acidinduced writhing test for peripheral effects and the tail immersion test for central effects. The
fractions were confirmed to be nontoxic at doses of 50 and 2000 mg/kg, with the lethal dose
exceeding 50 mg/kg for the ethanol fraction and 2000 mg/kg for the other fractions. The
fractions studied inhibited the pain in a dose-dependent manner in the acetic acid-induced
writhing test, especially for the ethyl acetate fraction. However, in the tail immersion test, the
fractions did not exhibit significantly enhanced effects. The analgesic activity of Retama
monosperma stems could be ascribed to the secondary metabolites detected in this plant. This
study demonstrated the safety of fractions of R. monosperma in acute toxicity and highlights
their potential for peripheral analgesic activity. Future investigations, including the isolation of
active compounds, are necessary to complete this work and improve the application of this
species in pain-associated diseases.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Dobrange E, Peshev D, Loedolff B, Van den Ende W.
Fructans as immunomodulatory and antiviral agents: The
case of Echinacea. Biomol. 2019; 9(10):615.
https://doi.org/10.3390/biom9100615
Mssillou I, Agour A, Slighoua M, Tourabi M, Nouioura G,
Lyoussi B, Derwich, E. Phytochemical characterization,
antioxidant activity, and in vitro investigation of
antimicrobial potential of Dittrichia viscosa L. leaf extracts
against nosocomial infections. Acta Ecol Sin. 2022;
(6):661‑669.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chnaes.2021.09.021
Springob K, Kutchan TM. Introduction to the different
classes of natural products. In: Plant-derived natural
products. New York: Springer; 2009; 3‑50.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-85498-4_1
McChesney JD, Venkataraman SK, Henri JT. Plant natural
products: back to the future or into extinction?. Phytochem.
; 68(14):2015‑22.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.04.032
Ameggouz M, Drioua S, El-Guourrami O, Azalmad H,
Ouajdi M, Zahidi A, Doukkali A, Satani B, Benzeid
H. Phytochemical Analysis and Evaluation of the
Antioxidant Activity of Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) G. Manetti
ex Carrière Stem Extracts. Trop J Nat Prod Res. 2024; 8(3):
-6750. https://doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v8i3.40
Born K, Christoph M, Fink A.H, Knippertz P, Paeth H,
Speth P. Moroccan Climate in the Present and Future:
Combined View from Observational Data and Regional
Climate Scenarios. In: Zereini, F., Hötzl, H. (eds) Climatic
Changes and Water Resources in the Middle East and North
Africa. Environmental Science and Engineering. Springer,
Berlin, Heidelberg. 2008; p.29-45.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-85047-2_4
Fennane M, Rejdali M. Aromatic and medicinal plants of
Morocco: richness, diversity and threats. Scientific Institute
Bulletin: Life Sciences Section. 2016; 38: 27‑42. Available
from: http://srv1-israbat.ac.ma/wpcontent/uploads/2017/11/Fennane_Rejdali%2027-42.pdf
Quezel P, Santa S. New flora of Algeria and southern desert
regions. Paris : Cent Natn Rech Scient. 1962; 12(12).
Benkhouili FZ, Moutawalli A, Benzeid H, Doukkali A,
Zahidi A. Retama monosperma (L.) Boiss.: A review of its
uses in traditional medicine, chemical constituents, and
pharmacologic activities. Phytomed Plus. 2022;
(4):100349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2022.100349
Benrahmoune IZ, Dubruille C. Invitation to the Love of
Plants - Sidi-Boughaba Biological Reserve. Éd Scriptra,
Printed by Al maarif al Jadida, Rabat; 2003.
Fdil R, El Hamdani N, El Kihel A, Sraidi K. Distribution of
alkaloids in the aerial parts of Retama monosperma (L.)
Boiss. from Morocco. Ann Toxicol Anal. 2012;
(3):139‑143. https://doi.org/10.1051/ata/2012016
González-Mauraza NH, León-González AJ, Espartero JL,
Gallego-Fernández JB, Sánchez-Hidalgo M, MartinCordero C. Isolation and Quantification of Pinitol, a
Bioactive Cyclitol, in Retama spp. Nat Prod Commun.
; 11(3):405-406.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X1601100321.
Zefzoufi M, Fdil R, Bouamama H, Gadhi C, Katakura Y,
Mouzdahir A, Sraidi K. Effect of extracts and isolated
compounds derived from Retama monosperma (L.) Boiss.
on anti-aging gene expression in human keratinocytes and
antioxidant activity. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021; 280:114451.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114451
Abdelmadjide S, Mounir A, Atef C, Nadia Z, Neji B.
Phytochemical study, antioxidant and antimicrobial
activities of flavonoids and diethyl ether extracts from
leaves and seeds of medicinal plant of algeria flora: Retama
monosperma (l.) Boiss. Ponte Int J Sci Res. 2020; 76(4).
http://dx.doi.org/10.21506/j.ponte.2020.4.4
Benkhouili F.Z, Moutawalli A, Ouchari L, Fahime E.E,
Benzeid H, Doukkali A, Zahidi A. Evaluation of the content
of polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins, theantioxidant
capacity, and the antimicrobial activity of different organic
and aqueous fractions of stems of Retama monosperma.
Plant Sci Today. 2024; 11(2):401-411.
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.2944
El Hamdani N, Filali-Ansari N, Fdil R, El Abbouyi A, El
Khyari S. Antifungal activity of the alkaloids extracts from
aerial parts of Retama monosperma. Res J Pharm Biol
Chem Sci. 2016; 7(2):965.
https://www.rjpbcs.com/pdf/2016_7(2)/[133].pdf
1Belmokhtar Z, Harche MK. In vitro antioxidant activity of
Retama monosperma (L.) Boiss. Nat Prod Res. 2014;
(24):2324‑2329.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2014.934237
González-Mauraza H, Martín-Cordero C, Alarcón-de-laLastra C, Rosillo M, León-González AJ, Sánchez-Hidalgo
M. Anti-inflammatory effects of Retama monosperma in
acute ulcerative colitis in rats. J Physiol Biochem. 2014;
(1):163‑172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-013-0290-3
Bustamante-Pesantes KE, Miranda-Martínez M, GutiérrezGaitén YI, Guaranda IA, Pesantes-Dominguez O, Campo
Fernández M. Chemical Composition, Acute Oral Toxicity
and Analgesic Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of
Mimusops coriacea (A. DC) Miq (Sapotaceae). Trop J Nat
Prod Res. 2023; 7(4):2688-2695.
http://www.doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v7i4.3
Marmitt DJ, Bitencourt S, Silva ADC, Goettert MI, Rempel
CR. Medicinal plants of Renisus with analgesic activity. J
Crit Rev. 2016; 3(3):1-4.
https://www.jcreview.com/admin/Uploads/Files/61c71c110
ac8a3.24499451.pdf
Rafieian-Kopaei M, Shakiba A, Sedighi M, Bahmani M.
The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Linum
usitatissimum in Balb/c mice. J Evid Based Complementary
Altern Med. 2017; 22(4):892‑896. Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development OECD.
Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 4: Test
No. 423: Acute Oral toxicity - Acute Toxic Class Method.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
; https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264071001-en
El-Guourrami O, Salhi N, Benkhouili F.Z, Zengin G,
Yilmaz M.A, Ameggouz M, Zahidi A, Rouas L, Bouyahya
A, Goh K.W. Phytochemical Composition and Toxicity
Assessment of Ammi Majus L. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed.
; 13:165-175, http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2221-
374233
Musa AO, Usman HK, Titus I, Olorukooba AB, Aliyu AB,
Bello H. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory studies of
methanol stem bark extract of Burkea africanaHook
(Fabaceae). Trop J Nat Prod Res. 2018; 2(8):375-379.
doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v2i8.1
El-Guourrami O, Drioua S, Ameggouz M, Salhi N, Sayah
K, Zengin G, Zahidi A, Doukkali A, Benzeid H.
Antioxidant activity, analgesic activity, and phytochemical
analysis of Ammi majus (L.) extracts. Int J Second Metab.
; 10(1):23‑37. https://doi.org/10.21448/ijsm.1139246
Pham EC, Van LV, Nguyen CV, Duong NTN, Le Thi TV,
Truong TN. Acute and sub-acute toxicity evaluation of
Merremia tridentata (L.) stem extract on mice. Toxicon.
; 227:107093.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107093
Sathish R, Anbu J, Murgesan M, Ashwini A, Arun K.
Toxicity study on Siddha formulation Mega Sanjeevi
Mathirai in albino rats. Int J Pharm Bio Sci. 2012; 3(3):121-
https://ijpbs.net/abstract.php?article=MTQzMA==
Algandaby MM. Assessment of acute and subacute toxic
effects of the Saudi folk herb Retama raetam in rats. J Chin
Med Assoc. 2015; 78(12):691‑701.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcma.2015.06.011
Moujane S, Bouadid I, Bouymajane A, Younes F.Z.,
Benlyas M, Bouachrine M, Cacciola F, Laganà Vinci R,
Tropea A, Mondello L, Altemimi A.B, Eddouks M, Moualij
B. Biochemical and toxicity evaluation of Retama
sphaerocarpa extracts and in-silico investigation of phenolic
compounds as potential inhibitors against HPV16 E6
oncoprotein. Fitoterapia. 2024; 175:105923.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2024.105923
Sun Y, Qi Z, Xu Y, Li C, Zhao J, Liu T. Anti-inflammatory,
analgesic, antitussive and antipyretic activities of
polyphenol-enriched fraction from Nymphaea candida. J
Ethnopharmacol. 2024; 324:117789.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2024.117789
El-Akabawy G, El-Sherif NM. Zeaxanthin exerts protective
effects on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats via modulation
of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. Biomed
Pharmacother. 2019; 111:841‑851.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2019.01.001
Chu L.-W, Cheng K.-I, Chen J.-Y, Cheng Y.-C, Chang Y.-
C, Yeh J.-L, Hsu J.-H, Dai Z.-K, Wu B.-N. Loganin
prevents chronic constriction injury-provoked neuropathic
pain by reducing TNF-α/IL-1β-mediated NF-kB activation
and Schwann cell demyelination. Phytomedicine. 2020;
:153166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2019.153166
Shreedhara C, Vaidya V, Vagdevi H, Latha K,
Muralikrishna K, Krupanidhi A. Screening of Bauhinia
purpurea Linn. for analgesic and anti-inflammatory
activities. Indian J Pharmacol. 2009; 41(2):75-79.
https://doi.org/10.4103%2F0253-7613.51345
Sabina E, Chandel S, Rasool MK. Evaluation of analgesic,
antipyretic and ulcerogenic effect of Withaferin A. Int J
Integr Biol. 2009; 6(2):52‑56.
https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pd
f&doi=362b55dd2b469207be1612d9b3678ada4fab2ea9
Khatun A, Imam MZ, Rana MS. Antinociceptive effect of
methanol extract of leaves of Persicaria hydropiper in mice.
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015; 15:63.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-015-0558-y.
Mahadi M, Rahman N.A, Viswanathan D, Taib I.S, Sulong
A, Hakeem W.A, Mohamad M, Mohammed I.K, Abidin I.I.Z, Rahman S.A, Yusuf Z. The potential effects of
Melicope ptelefolia root extract as an anti-nociceptive and
anti-inflammatory on animal models. Bull Fac Pharm Cairo
Univ. 2016; 54(2):237‑241.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bfopcu.2016.06.005
Alwasia AN, Altawirghi NM, Sherif FM. Pharmacological
Evaluation of the Libyan Folk Herb Retama Raetam Seeds
in Mice. Int J Med Health Res. 2018; 2(11):1-6
http://ijeais.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/11/IJAHMR181101.pdf
Djeddi S, Karioti A, Yannakopoulou E, Papadopoulos K,
Chatter R, Skaltsa H. Analgesic and antioxidant activities of
Algerian Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb & Berthel
extracts. Rec Nat Prod. 2013; 7(3):169-176.