Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Ephedra alata Decne.: Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Potentials

Ephedra alata Decne. is a medicinal species used to treat several ailments including cancer, digestive and respiratory disorders, bacterial and fungal infections, and renal failure. Although its therapeutic uses are documented, comprehensive in vitro evaluation of its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer potential using a phytochemical-based approach has remained limited. This study focused on the evaluation of anticancer (MTT assay), anti-inflammatory (HRBC membrane stabilizing, proteins denaturation and protease inhibition assays), and antioxidant activities (TAC, DPPH, reducing power, and H2O2), in addition to the phenolic characterization of E. alata extracts. The phytochemical compounds were identified by HPLC-DAD analysis. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer potential were assessed in vitro. Rutin, vanillin, p-hydroxy benzoic acid, pyrocatechol, luteolin, and quercetin were the phenolic compounds revealed in the aerial part of E. alata by HPLC-DAD. The methanolic and aqueous extracts exhibited an important radical scavenging activity with IC50 value of 535 ± 0.035 and 644 ± 0.048 µg/mL, respectively. Impressively, the methanolic extract was particularly effective in reducing hypotonic-induced HRBC lysis with 42.80% protection (IC50 value of 12.22 ± 0.04 µg/mL). Unfortunately, no potent anticancer effects were exerted against the carcinoma cells. However, the extracts from E. alata were found not to be toxic to normal cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that the phytochemicals of E. alata contributed to the biological activities and could be considered as natural sources of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, although no considerable anticancer activity was observed here.