Phytochemical and Biological Investigation of Carthamus tenuis Boiss. growing in Egypt

A phytochemical study of the aerial parts of Carthamus tenuis Boiss. led to the isolation and identification of six compounds. Caffeic acid 9-O-glucoside (1), quercetin (2), luteolin (3), 3'-methoxy luteolin (4), proline (5) and choline (6). They were isolated using several chromatographic techniques and identified with spectroscopic analyses (UV, IR, NMR and MS) in addition to comparison with reported data. The Immunosuppressive property of compound (6) (5 mg/kg b.wt.) was comparable to those of prednisolone (10 mg/kg b.wt.); while, compounds (1) and (2) (20 mg/kg b.wt., each) significantly decreased anti-SRBC titer in comparison to control group. Total phenolic content of methanolic and aqueous extracts of the plant was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and expressed as mg gallic acid equivalent per gram dry plant material (mg GAE/g dry wt.). Antioxidant activity was measured by improved ABTS method, using Trolox as a standard, total antioxidant activity was expressed in terms of Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC per g dry weight of plant). The phenolic content was 65.8 mg GAE/g dry wt. and 18.2 mg GAE/g dry wt. in methanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively. While the antioxidant activity was 163.9 TEAC/g dry weight and 29.8 TEAC/g dry weight in methanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively.