Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of Tunisian halophyte Suaeda mollis

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties of Tunisian Suaeda mollis specie after fractionation by increasing polarity of several extracts (Hexane, Dichloromerthane, Methanol and water). Water and methanol extracts of S. mollis exhibited the best in vitro antioxidant ability (2.92±0.19 and 2.77±0.21 µmol TE/mg, respectively), while, dichloromethane extract displayed the highest ex vivo antioxidant activity with an IC50 equal to 1.73 µg/ml. Besides, hexane extract showed an important anti-inflammatory effect inhibiting NO with 55.9% at 160 µg/ml. Finally, dichloromethane extract displayed a potent anticancer activity against cancerous cells A-549 with an IC50 equal to 70±7 µg/ml as well as non cancerous cells Detroit-551 and WS1 (IC50=81±1 and 62±5 µg/ml, respectively) using resazurin test. Moreover, hexane extract is efficient against Caco-2 (IC50=122 µg/ml). Overall, the results suggested that biological activities are influenced by solvent polarity and extractability.