Phenolic Compounds Analysis and In Vitro Biological Activities of Aqueous Extract From Leaves of <i>Paronychia Arabica</i> Collected in South Algeria

The objective of this investigation was to assess the biological properties of the leaf's aqueous extract of <i>Paronychia Arabica</i> (PaAE), which is used in conventional medicine for therapeutic purposes of gastric ulcers and abdominal diseases. The content of phenolic and flavonoidic compounds was quantitatively estimated using colorimetric methods. The phenolic component profile was also evaluated using LC-MS/MS. The biological activities were then carried out, namely the antioxidant activity (DPPH test, β-carotene bleaching and FRAP assays), the anti-inflammatory impact, and the inhibitory effect of the α-amylase enzyme was also examined. Lastly, antimicrobial activity against seven bacterial strains: <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>, and <i>Micrococcus luteus</i>; and one yeast: <i>Candida albicans</i>. The aqueous extract obtained by use of the decoction of leaves of <i>P. arabica</i> contains high levels of phenolics and flavonoids. Additionally, LC-MS-MS assessment of the phenolic profile revealed the existence of 16 chemical compounds and the major compounds are 35.9% cis-p-coumaric acid, 14.8% syringic acid, 9.61% sinapic acid, and 9.6% 8-Hydroxyquinolin. The findings revealed that <i>P. arabica</i> extract has elevated antioxidant capacity in all tested samples; it also demonstrated a higher anti-inflammatory activity. Antihyperglycemic activity is marked by a significant inhibitory effect on α-amylase in vitro with an IC₅₀ equal to 78.82 ± 3.4 μg/mL. Moreover, the <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> strain had the highest sensitivity to <i>P. arabica</i> extract's antibacterial properties, whilst <i>Micrococcus luteus</i> and <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> strains showed moderate sensitivity, and <i>Escherichia coli</i> displayed the greatest resistance.