LC-MS ⁿ analysis, antioxidant activity and <i>in-vivo</i> toxicology of methanolic extract of aerial parts from <i>Calendula aegyptiaca</i>

Antioxidant activity of several organ and total aerial part extracts from <i>Calendula aegyptiaca</i> was investigated. Flavonoids and total phenol contents as well as ferric reducing power assay (FRAP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay revealed that methanolic extracts were richer in phenolics and flavonoids than Dichloromethane (DCM) and <i>n-</i>hexane extracts. The methanolic extract of the plant's aerial part (MEAP) was found to have the highest phenolic content (385.06 ± 0.92 mg of Gallic acid equivalent/g of dried extract). The chemical profile of MEAP was explored through high-performance liquid chromatography combined with negative electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (HPLC-HESI-MS). Twenty-nine compounds were identified, mostly composed of flavonoids (<b>32.4</b>%), phenolic acids (<b>10.5</b>%), and saponins (<b>46.8</b>%). By administering the MEAP to Wistar female rats in drinking water, its subacute toxicity was examined. Hematological, biochemical, histological and oxidative stress parameters were evaluated. Doses of <b>0.125</b>, <b>0.250</b>, <b>0.500</b>, and <b>1.000 </b>g of plant per kg of body weight did not cause damage in rats receiving this treatment. Nevertheless, a decrease in serum uric acid level was observed following extract administration. So, this extract may have antihyperuricemic activity which should be confirmed by using an animal model of hyperuricaemia.