Chemical composition, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory potentials of Cotula cinerea growing in Algerian Sahara

Our study aimed to examine the phytochemical composition and biological features of Cotula cinerea, an indigenous plant found in the Algerian Sahara. The aqueous maceration process was used to get the extract of Cotula cinerea, which showed a high concentration of polyphenols (34.01 ± 1.08 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (24.10 ± 0.82 mg EQ/g). The toxicity studies on rats demonstrated no detrimental effects, confirming the extract’s safety. Notably, the use of C. cinerea extract showed significant results in lowering blood sugar levels. The diabetic rats that received the extract showed significantly reduced glucose levels (D500 = 1.04 ± 0.13 g/l) compared to those without treatment (2.92 ± 0.23 g/l). In addition, all other biochemical parameters in the diabetic rats who received treatment were comparable to or superior to those of the control group. The extract’s antioxidant capacity was verified through in vitro testing utilizing DPPH (IC₅₀ = 0.54 ± 0.023 mg/ml) and FRAP (IC₅₀ = 0.51 ± 0.012 mg/ml) tests. Ascorbic acid was used as a reference, with concentrations of 0.06 ± 0.005 mg/ml and 0.11 ± 0.014 mg/ml for the respective assays. Moreover, the plant's anti-inflammatory properties were assessed both in vitro and in vivo. Its effectiveness was ranked in the following order: The order of effectiveness, from highest to lowest, is as follows: Aspirin, Diclofenac, Extract (500 mg/kg b.w.), Extract (250 mg/kg b.w.). The findings emphasize the potential of C. cinerea as a promising reservoir of bioactive chemicals with notable hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities.