Abstract:
The present work was based on the valorization of agroresources of four fruits grown locally
in Algeria; Vitis vinifera, Punica granatum, Citrus aurantium and Opuntia ficus-indica by the
determination of their molecular characterizations and biological activities.
The hydroalcoholic extracts of the selected fruits were evaluated for their antioxidant,
analgesic, healing and antihyperlipidemic activities as well as their toxic potential.
A chromatographic analysis by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS was performed and supplemented by a
quantitative evaluation of the total phenols, flavonoïds, flavonols, condensed and
hydrolysable tannins. The results of the quantitative analysis show that the levels of the of
Vitis vinifera fruit extract on phenolic compounds are significantly higher than those of other
fruits. The results of the HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS analysis revealed a chromatographic profile
dominated by a bargaptene (coumarin) for the extract of Punica granatum and by the phenolic
acids and flavonoïds for the other extracts.
The antioxidant activity (DPPH•, ABTS•+, FRAP, ORAC, TBARS, NO•) evaluated in vitro
showed that the antioxidant potential of the Vitis vinifera extract is the most important
compared to the other extracts. The Punica granatum extract has also a potential antioxidant
activity but it remains less important than that of the previous species.
The Vitis vinifera and Punica granatum extracts showed an analgesic effect on the three tests
(torsion, hot plate and tail immersion), of which the potential to reduce the pain was
statistically comparable in both extracts and was most evident in the torsion test. On the other
hand, the results of the evaluation of the healing activity in the rabbits showed that the Punica
granatum extract and at lesser degree that of Vitis vinifera accelerate the process of healing
of excisional wounds and burns compared to the control, and was even superior to that of
commercial healing cream (Cicatryl®). The results of the antihyperlipidemic activity showed
that the Vitis vinifera and Punica granatum extracts normalized the lipidemic profile in mice
made hyperlipidemic compared to the control. Finally, the results of the acute toxicity in mice
demonstrated that the Vitis vinifera and Punica granatum extracts are free of any signs of
toxicity at the maximum dose prescribed.
