This is the first report on the phytochemistry and antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate and n- butanol extracts from an Algerian endemic plant Verbascum atlanticum Batt. (Scrophulariaceae). Both extracts were subjected to a phytochemical study by semi-preparative HPLC, which led to the isolation and identification of nine compounds: methyl linolenate (1), methyl linoleate (2), Phytol-1(3), Martynoside (4), Isomartynoside (5), Cis-martynoside (6), Ilwensisaponin C (7), Ilwensisaponin B (8), Ilwensisaponin A (9). In addition, the fractions from both extracts were analysed by LC-UV-MS and HRESI-MS. This later revealed the presence of eight other metabolites by using a comparison with known microbial metabolites data. Finally, both extracts were estimated for their phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as the evaluation of their antioxidant activity using five different assays DPPH, CUPRAC, reducing power, β-carotene bleaching and superoxide DMSO alkaline. The results showed that the ethyl acetate extract had the most antioxidant effect.
Keywords: HRESI-MS; Verbascum atlanticum; antioxidant activity; phenylpropanoid glycosides; saponin glycosides.