Teucrium polium L.: A natural source of antioxidants and a potential UV protector.

Teucrium polium L., commonly known as "El Kheyata," is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional Algerian medicine. In this study, we evaluated the total phenolic content (TPC) and biological activities of three extracts derived from its aerial parts: methanolic (MeOH), dichloromethane...

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Main Authors: Sarra Lamari, Ahmed Dekak, Sameh Boukhedir, Chawki Bensouici, Tarek Hamel, Imededdine Kadi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Ljubljana Press (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani) 2025-05-01
Series:Acta Biologica Slovenica
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Online Access:https://journals.uni-lj.si/abs/article/view/20040
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author Sarra Lamari
Ahmed Dekak
Sameh Boukhedir
Chawki Bensouici
Tarek Hamel
Imededdine Kadi
author_facet Sarra Lamari
Ahmed Dekak
Sameh Boukhedir
Chawki Bensouici
Tarek Hamel
Imededdine Kadi
author_sort Sarra Lamari
collection DOAJ
description Teucrium polium L., commonly known as "El Kheyata," is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional Algerian medicine. In this study, we evaluated the total phenolic content (TPC) and biological activities of three extracts derived from its aerial parts: methanolic (MeOH), dichloromethane (DCM), and petroleum ether (EDP) extracts. The functional groups of these extracts were characterised using UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy. Antioxidant potential was assessed through multiple assays, including 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH), 2,20-Azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic Acid) (ABTS), Reducing power assay (FRAP), and O-phenanthroline, while the sun protection factor (SPF) was measured to evaluate photoprotective effects. Our results demonstrated that T. polium contains significant concentrations of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, correlating with its notable biological activities. UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy detected the presence of conjugated compounds, especially flavonoids and phenolic acids, in the MeOH and DCM extracts. The EDP extract, on the other hand, is rich in lipophilic compounds, such as terpenes. The results demonstrated that the MeOH extract stood out for its superior antioxidant activity compared with the DCM and EDP extracts. In line with this antioxidant richness, MeOH extract also demonstrated a powerful photoprotective effect, with SPF values ranging from 15.45 ± 0.45 to 32.96 ± 0.69, suggesting effective UV absorption. These results show that T. polium is a promising source for pharmaceutical applications (sunscreens, antioxidant supplements), pending further studies on its pharmacokinetic profile and potential drug interactions.
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spelling doaj-art-8adf453b384248dab49d052d8087e2ec2025-08-20T03:08:46ZengUniversity of Ljubljana Press (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani)Acta Biologica Slovenica1854-30732025-05-0168310.14720/abs.68.3.20040Teucrium polium L.: A natural source of antioxidants and a potential UV protector.Sarra Lamari0Ahmed Dekak1Sameh Boukhedir2Chawki Bensouici3Tarek Hamel4Imededdine Kadi5Laboratory of Bioactive molecules and applications, Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences, Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University, 12000, Tebessa, AlgeriaDepartment of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences, Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University, 12000, Tebessa, Algeria.Laboratory of Plant Biology and Environment, Department of Biology, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, AlgeriaBiotechnology Research Centre, Ali Mendjli New City UV 03, BP E73, Constantine 25016, AlgeriaLaboratory of Plant Biology and Environment, Department of Biology, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, Algeria.Research Unit in Medicinal Plants (Laghouat, 3000) affiliated with Biotechnology Research Centre CRBt (Constantine, 2500), Algeria Teucrium polium L., commonly known as "El Kheyata," is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional Algerian medicine. In this study, we evaluated the total phenolic content (TPC) and biological activities of three extracts derived from its aerial parts: methanolic (MeOH), dichloromethane (DCM), and petroleum ether (EDP) extracts. The functional groups of these extracts were characterised using UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy. Antioxidant potential was assessed through multiple assays, including 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH), 2,20-Azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic Acid) (ABTS), Reducing power assay (FRAP), and O-phenanthroline, while the sun protection factor (SPF) was measured to evaluate photoprotective effects. Our results demonstrated that T. polium contains significant concentrations of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, correlating with its notable biological activities. UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy detected the presence of conjugated compounds, especially flavonoids and phenolic acids, in the MeOH and DCM extracts. The EDP extract, on the other hand, is rich in lipophilic compounds, such as terpenes. The results demonstrated that the MeOH extract stood out for its superior antioxidant activity compared with the DCM and EDP extracts. In line with this antioxidant richness, MeOH extract also demonstrated a powerful photoprotective effect, with SPF values ranging from 15.45 ± 0.45 to 32.96 ± 0.69, suggesting effective UV absorption. These results show that T. polium is a promising source for pharmaceutical applications (sunscreens, antioxidant supplements), pending further studies on its pharmacokinetic profile and potential drug interactions. https://journals.uni-lj.si/abs/article/view/20040antioxidant activitysun protection factorUV-VIS spectroscopyTeucrium polliumsecondary metabolites
spellingShingle Sarra Lamari
Ahmed Dekak
Sameh Boukhedir
Chawki Bensouici
Tarek Hamel
Imededdine Kadi
Teucrium polium L.: A natural source of antioxidants and a potential UV protector.
Acta Biologica Slovenica
antioxidant activity
sun protection factor
UV-VIS spectroscopy
Teucrium pollium
secondary metabolites
title Teucrium polium L.: A natural source of antioxidants and a potential UV protector.
title_full Teucrium polium L.: A natural source of antioxidants and a potential UV protector.
title_fullStr Teucrium polium L.: A natural source of antioxidants and a potential UV protector.
title_full_unstemmed Teucrium polium L.: A natural source of antioxidants and a potential UV protector.
title_short Teucrium polium L.: A natural source of antioxidants and a potential UV protector.
title_sort teucrium polium l a natural source of antioxidants and a potential uv protector
topic antioxidant activity
sun protection factor
UV-VIS spectroscopy
Teucrium pollium
secondary metabolites
url https://journals.uni-lj.si/abs/article/view/20040
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AT chawkibensouici teucriumpoliumlanaturalsourceofantioxidantsandapotentialuvprotector
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