Assessment of biological activities of Marrubium sp hydroethanolic extract

Abstract

The present study investigated the phytochemical content, antioxidant activity, toxicological effects of Marrubium hydroethanolic extract (MHE), and its impact on gastric emptying (GE) and intestinal transit (IT) rates. The extraction yield was 21.66%. Quantitative analysis revealed high levels of bioactive compounds, including total polyphenols (95 ±1.010 GAE µg/mg), flavonoids (54.43 ± 11.37 QE µg/mg), and tannins (77.06 ± 0.47 TAE µg/mg). MHE exhibited notable antioxidant properties across multiple assays: DPPH radical scavenging (IC₅₀ = 98.86 ± 2.09 µg/mL), ABTS assay (IC₅₀ = 24.40 ± 1.24 µg/mL), ferrozine-based iron chelation (IC₅₀ = 210.71 ± 1.59 µg/mL), and phenanthroline-based reducing power (EC₅₀ = 560.18 ± 20.47 µg/mL). Acute toxicity studies revealed no mortality or behavioral alterations, even at high doses (up to 5 g/kg). Biochemical assays showed a significant reduction in hepatic enzymes (ALP, AST, ALT), while creatinine levels remained stable, suggesting hepatoprotective activity without nephrotoxicity. At the 5 g/kg dose, oxidative stress biomarkers showed improved antioxidant defense: glutathione (GSH) levels were 2.10 ± 0.24 µmol TNB/g in kidneys and 4.06 ± 0.82 µmol TNB/g in liver tissue; malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were 43.6 nmol/g in kidney tissue and 34.87 nmol/g in liver. Catalase (CAT) activity reached 5.85 ± 0.33 mmol/min/mg (kidney) and 6.86 ± 4.1 mmol/min/mg (liver),