Extraction and evaluation of some pharmacological and biological activities of medicinal plants "Ruta montana and Ruta chalapensis"

Abstract

Ruta montana is an aromatic and medicinal plant traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antispasmodic properties. However, few studies have investigated its chemical composition and safety. The objective of this research is to enhance the value of this plant through an in-depth phytochemical study and an evaluation of its toxicity and antioxidant activity. After extracting the essential oil by hydrodistillation, an analysis using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified its main constituents: 2-undecanone (32.739%), 1H-phosphole, 2,5-dihydro-1-methyl (17.113%), and 2-nonen-4-one (10.976%). Acute toxicity tests performed on mice revealed moderate side effects (sedation, limb paralysis, decreased locomotor activity) without any mortality, indicating relatively low toxicity. In addition, antioxidant activity evaluated by the DPPH assay showed moderate activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 108.3 mg/ml. In conclusion, although the essential oil yield was low (0.26 ml/100 g), Ruta montana exhibits a rich chemical composition and interesting biological properties, supporting its potential for pharmacological applications, provided it is used with caution