UPLC-Triple TOF-MS/MS Phytochemical Profiling and In Vitro Evaluation of Saraca cauliflora Bak. Methanolic Leaf Extract.

Sallam, Mahmoud; Metwaly, Ahmed M; Ragab, Ehab Abd El-Wahab

doi:10.21608/ejchem.2025.408812.12115

UPLC-Triple TOF-MS/MS Phytochemical Profiling and In Vitro Evaluation of Saraca cauliflora Bak. Methanolic Leaf Extract.

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

² Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University

³ Department Pharmacognosy, Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Pharmacy.

10.21608/ejchem.2025.408812.12115

Abstract

Saraca cauliflora Baker, a member of the ethnomedicinally significant genus Saraca, has been traditionally employed for therapeutic purposes. Despite this, its phytochemical profile remains largely unexplored, warranting further investigation to unveil its bioactive constituents. This study aimed to explore and characterize the phytochemical profile of the methanolic leaf extract of S. cauliflora Baker, and to evaluate its biological activities in vitro. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple time-of-flight high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-T-TOF-HRMS/MS) was utilized for the tentative identification of S. cauliflora phytoconstituents. The hepatoprotective potential of the extract was then evaluated by measuring its capability to attenuate CCl4 induced cytotoxicity in human liver cells. Furthermore, the antitumor potential of the methanolic leaf extract of S. cauliflora against human liver cancer cells was tested using standard cell viability assays, and anti inflammatory potential was evaluated through the cyclooxygenase inhibition method. Phytochemical analysis led to the characterization of 50 metabolites. Among these metabolites, flavonoids and phenolic acids were the most prevalent. In vitro evaluation of the extract demonstrated pronounced antitumor activity and provided protective effects against CCL4-mediated cytotoxic effects, highlighting its promising therapeutic potential. Although the genus Saraca is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, in vitro cyclooxygenase inhibition assays of S. cauliflora showed only weak, non-selective activity. Therefore, further studies are warranted to explore alternative mechanisms.

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