A comprehensive metabolomic study has revealed promising anti-inflammatory properties of three Egyptian Salsola species, sparking interest among researchers for potential medicinal applications.
Salsola plants, known for their natural resilience to salty environments, have long been used in traditional medicine. Despite their extensive use, the specific anti-inflammatory activities of the Egyptian species—Salsola tetrandra, Salsola tetragona, and Salsola vermiculata—had not been comprehensively examined until now.
Conducted by researchers from various institutions, including contributions from Prof. Dr. Sania Ahmed of Alexandria University, the study assessed these plants' metabolomic profiles and their corresponding pharmacological activities. The research, which pulled together samples collected during the summer of 2021 from the Egyptian coasts, has taken significant strides toward identifying the bioactive compounds within these species.
Utilizing ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC MS/MS), the team successfully identified eighty distinct metabolites across all species. These included flavonoids, saponins, nitrogenous compounds, phenolics, and phenolic acids, highly regarded for their potential health benefits, particularly anti-inflammatory effects.
Among the findings, it was noted, “The safety margin of all tested extracts was higher than the standard drug piroxicam.” This points to the potential of Salsola extracts as safer alternatives to prevalent synthetic anti-inflammatory medications. The study revealed intriguing differences among the species, with S. tetrandra showing the most considerable biological activity. “The shoot extract of S. tetrandra was the most biologically active fraction,” the researchers reported.
This research not only highlights the chemical diversity within Salsola species but emphasizes the necessity for future studies to explore their applications thoroughly within the pharmaceutical industry. The significant outcomes from this study suggest these Salsola species might offer new, natural sources for anti-inflammatory agents, paving the way for innovative treatments derived from nature's bounty.
This comprehensive metabolomic study has laid the groundwork for future explorations of Salsola plants and the potential anti-inflammatory candidates they may yield, underlining the importance of traditional knowledge intertwined with modern scientific approaches.