Non-toxic harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC. ex Meisn. dry extract exhibits repellent and antioxidant activities in nauphoeta cinerea.
Source: PubMed, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine
Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC., commonly known as devil's claw, is traditionally used in southern Africa for treating inflammatory conditions. Despite its widespread use, comprehensive toxicological and antioxidant evaluations using alternative invertebrate models remain limited. This study investigated the phytochemical composition, acute toxicity, repellent activity, antioxidant capacity, and effects on oxidative stress markers of H. procumbens dry extract (HpDE) using Nauphoeta cinerea as a model organism. HPLC analysis identified six major phenolic compounds: gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, rutin, and quercetin. Survival assays using concentrations of 15.625, 31.25, 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/mL demonstrated 100% survival of N. cinerea over 72 h, indicating the absence of acute toxicity in this specific invertebrate model. Behavioral tests revealed concentration-dependent repellent effects at 4 and 8 mg/mL. The DPPH radical scavenging assay showed moderate antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ of 178.00 mg/mL, approximately 11-fold lower than that of ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = 16.18 mg/mL). Biochemical analysis demonstrated significant reduction in total free iron levels following treatment with 15.625 and 125 mg/mL HpDE, suggesting modulation of iron homeostasis and potential protective effects against oxidative stress. These findings provide evidence that HpDE exhibits low acute toxicity in N. cine
Abstract
Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC., commonly known as devil's claw, is traditionally used in southern Africa for treating inflammatory conditions. Despite its widespread use, comprehensive toxicological and antioxidant evaluations using alternative invertebrate models remain limited. This study investigated the phytochemical composition, acute toxicity, repellent activity, antioxidant capacity, and effects on oxidative stress markers of H. procumbens dry extract (HpDE) using Nauphoeta cinerea as a model organism. HPLC analysis identified six major phenolic compounds: gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, rutin, and quercetin. Survival assays using concentrations of 15.625, 31.25, 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/mL demonstrated 100% survival of N. cinerea over 72 h, indicating the absence of acute toxicity in this specific invertebrate model. Behavioral tests revealed concentration-dependent repellent effects at 4 and 8 mg/mL. The DPPH radical scavenging assay showed moderate antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ of 178.00 mg/mL, approximately 11-fold lower than that of ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = 16.18 mg/mL). Biochemical analysis demonstrated significant reduction in total free iron levels following treatment with 15.625 and 125 mg/mL HpDE, suggesting modulation of iron homeostasis and potential protective effects against oxidative stress. These findings provide evidence that HpDE exhibits low acute toxicity in N. cinerea while displaying antioxidant properties and iron-modulating activity. The results support the traditional use of H. procumbens and establish N. cinerea as a suitable invertebrate model for preliminary toxicological screening of this botanical extract, although species-specific responses necessitate caution when extrapolating these findings to other organisms.