Fouquieria splendens: A source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant and antiproliferative potential

Introduction Fouquieria splendens commonly named "ocotillo", is a native plant from Mexico, used in folk medicine against different illnesses. However, scientific evidence about its biological activities is limited. The objective of this study was to determine phenolic composition, antioxidant and antiproliferative effect of F. splendens. Methods Amethanolic extract from F. splendens leaves extract (F. splendens extract) was obtained and fractioned by liquid-liquid partition, obtaining hexane, ethyl acetate, and residual fractions. Phenolic compounds were determined by the Folin Ciocalteu method, and the phenolic profile was assessed by UPLC-DAD. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH, TEAC, ORAC, and FRAP assays. Antiproliferative activity was performed by MTT assay against C33-A and HeLa cell lines. Results The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest (p < 0.0001) amount of phenolic compounds (479.9 mg GAE/g) and the predominant compounds were gallic acid ( 25.949 mg/g), ellagic acid ( 17.439 mg/g), and kaempferol-3-β-glucoside ( 7.336 mg/g). Similarly, ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest (p < 0.0001) antioxidant potential (DPPH: 2430.1 µmol TE/g; TEAC: 60.4 µmol TE/g; ORAC: 4948.4 µmol TE/g; FRAP: 7803 µmol Fe(II)/g). An antiproliferative assay evidenced that the F. splendens extract was the most effective (p < 0.0002) to inhibit proliferation of cervical cancer cell lines, particularly HPV negative cells (C33-A IC₅₀: 9.06 µg/mL; HeLa IC₅₀: 74.7 µg/mL). Conclusion The results showed a promissory biological potential of F. splendens, associated with phenolic compounds, besides the first report on the identification of some phenolic compounds in this plant.