A comprehensive metabolomic study of three Egyptian Salsola species revealed their potential anti-inflammatory activity

Abstract Salsola plants are halophytic crops that are distributed worldwide, with more than 100 species figured out in Asia, the Mediterranean region and North Africa. Different Salsola species were reported to exert marked anti-inflammatory activities, whereas the potential anti-inflammatory activities of the three species, S. tetrandra, S. tetragona and S. vermiculata, have not been evaluated. This study provides a comprehensive metabolic study of the shoots and roots of those three species to identify potential anti-inflammatory candidates. An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography mass-mass spectrometry (UHPLC MS/MS) method in conjunction with multivariate analysis principles was utilized in an attempt to decipher their bio-active metabolites and their relevant anti-inflammatory activities. Eighty metabolites were identified in the tested extracts, where nitrogenous compounds and phenolics were highly detected in S. tetragona samples, meanwhile, saponins and phenolic acids were highly dominant in S. tetrendra sample and S. vermiculata samples have a similar chemical profile as S. tetrandra. Concerning the anti-inflammatory activity of the tested extracts, the safety margin of all the tested extracts was higher than that of the standard drug piroxicam. The shoots of the three species demonstrated more potent anti-inflammatory activities compared to the roots. The shoot extract of S. tetrandra was the most biologically active fraction. The obtained results revealed the shoots of the three Salosla species to be promising anti-inflammatory drug candidates of high safety and efficacy that could be used in the pharmaceutical industry.