In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Denaturation Properties of Crude Arbutus Unedo L. Extracts from the Rif Region, Morocco

¹ Applied Chemistry Research Unit, FSTH, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, 32 003 Al Hoceima, Morocco
² Research Team Environmental Management and Civil Engineering, ENSAH, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, 32 003 Al Hoceima, Morocco

^* Corresponding author: o.benamari@uae.ac.ma

Abstract

A. unedo L. is a valuable medicinal shrub with significant therapeutic properties, commonly found in Mediterranean forests with semi-arid bioclimatic conditions, traditionally used to treat various diseases, including those related to oxidative stress and infectious diseases. Hence, the present study seeks to examine the DPPH and FRAP assays, along with the anti-inflammatory activity of different extracts, by measuring absorbance using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The results showed that the methanol extract of A. unedo L. leaves (EMAU) exhibited the highest scavenging activity (% RSA) against the DPPH radical, with an IC₅₀ value of 11.98 ± 1.04 µg/mL at 800 µg/mL. Whereas the ethyl acetate extract (EAAU) displayed the highest FRAP activity (1.08 ± 0.03) at 400 µg/mL. In addition, the methanol extract (EMAU) revealed superior anti-inflammatory effects, achieving 91.52 ± 0.43% inhibition at 1000 µg/mL. Based on the findings, the shrub present in the Ait Ammart area (TIZI IFRI forest) shows promising potential as a source of bioactive molecules and pharmacologically valuable metabolites.