Biologically Active Compounds of Plants of the Atraphaxis Genus: Chemical Composition and Immunomodulatory Evaluation

TL;DR

This study explores the chemical makeup and immune-boosting effects of Atraphaxis virgata, a plant with potential nutritional and medicinal value.

Contribution

The first comprehensive chemical and biological characterization of Atraphaxis virgata is presented.

Findings

The plant contains 42 identified compounds, including fatty acid esters, sterols, and terpenoids.

Extracts showed immunomodulatory effects, stimulating erythropoiesis and leukopoiesis in rats.

Phenolic and flavonoid-rich fractions were isolated, highlighting antioxidant and pharmacological potential.

Abstract

This study systematically investigated lipophilic and polar metabolites of Atraphaxis virgata (Polygonaceae) and assessed its immunomodulatory activity in vivo. Supercritical CO2 extraction of the aerial parts yielded a lipophilic fraction analyzed by means of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), which identified 42 compounds, including fatty acid esters, sterols, hydrocarbons, and terpenoids. The residual plant meal was subjected to ultrasound-assisted extraction with 70% aqueous ethanol at 30–35 °C, using a solid-to-solvent ratio of 1:8 for 120 min. This polar extract was evaluated for amino acids, proteins, and carbohydrates, while solvent–solvent partitioning with chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water enabled isolation of phenolic- and flavonoid-enriched fractions. Six phenolic constituents, including four flavonol glycosides and two phenolic acids, were structurally confirmed. The extracts were rich in unsaturated fatty acids and water-soluble antioxidants, supporting their nutritional and pharmacological relevance. In vivo evaluation using a cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression model in Wistar rats demonstrated stimulation of erythropoiesis and leukopoiesis, confirming immunomodulatory potential. Collectively, this work provides the first comprehensive chemical and biological characterization of A. virgata and establishes a foundation for mechanistic studies and pharmacological validation.

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