UPLC–ESI-PDA–MSn profiling of phenolics involved in biological activities of the medicinal plant Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.)

Halocnemum strobilaceum is a halophyte present in the humid and arid bioclimatic regions of Egypt. The current study aimed at UPLC/PDA/ESI-MSn qualitative chemical profiling of the phytoconstituents underlining both antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the bio-active fraction in comparison with the other fractions. It resulted in detection of several related compounds to prenylated flavonol icariin as a first report in this species. Results showed that ethyl acetate exhibits an appreciable antioxidant activity using in vitro DPPH assay with percentage of 82.35% and remarkable anticancer capacity against most common types of cancer in Egypt; breast (MCF-7), human prostate (PC-3) cancer cell lines, and human lung carcinoma (A-549) with IC50 43.1± 2 µg/ml, 115±5 µg/ml and 53.3±3 µg/ml respectively. These findings point out the appropriate solvent for extraction of the bio-phenolics with this halophyte which is a considerable source of remarkable potential secondary metabolites that exhibit original and interesting anticancer capacity.