Genetics, phytochemistry, and toxicological evaluation of the biochemical domestication of Haplophyllum tuberculatum

Haplophyllum tuberculatum (Forssk.) A.Juss., is an endemic plant species reported from Salt zone of Saudi Arabia. It chiefly contains volatile oils, alkaloids, and phenolic furanocoumarins. In current study the essential oil of the aerial leafy parts of H, tuberculatum was carried out using hydro distillation. The FTIR analysis of H. tuberculatum extract revealed prominent peaks corresponding to various functional groups, including alkyl groups, aromatic rings, carbonyl groups, and hydroxyl groups. Nine phytochemical compounds were identified by GC–MS characterization. The aerial parts of H. tuberculatum in methanol extract and its soluble fractions such as n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and chloroform were screened for in vitro antioxidant activity using DPPH assay. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and extraction percent yield of the solvents were also estimated to correlate the antioxidant potential in context of phytochemical determination. The total phenolic content (TPC) of H. tuberculatum was measured using gallic acid equivalent and total flavonoid content (TFC) using rutin equivalent colorimetric methods. Methanol extract showed a maximum antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ value (50.12 µg/mL) and ethyl acetate fraction with minimum IC₅₀ value (19.4 µg/mL). In both acute and sub-acute toxicological assays, no mortality or notable weight loss was observed in the groups treated with H. tuberculatum extract at doses of 1000 mg/kg and 4000 mg/kg, in contrast to the control group. This study offers a enhanced potential for cultivation using multidisciplinary approach not only elucidates the genetic factors underlying desirable traits of H. tuberculatum but also assesses the efficacy of the plant for the way to sustainable exploited and commercialized the broader implications in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and environmental conservation.