Malva sylvestris: Phytochemical profiling and biological activities through in vitro and in vivo studies

The study determined the volatile content of Malva sylvestris (MSEO), and evaluated the antioxi-dant, photoprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities, and cytotoxicity of its hydro ethanol extract (MSME) through various methods, with total bioactive content quantified spectrophotometrically. The dermatoprotective effects were assessed via sun protection factor (SPF) assays. The anti-inflamma-tory activity of MSME was tested in Wistar albino rats using a formalin-induced paw edema model and a protein denaturation model. Acute toxicity was evaluated by administering MSME at doses of 125, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg, focusing on liver and kidney histology, body weight, bioche-mical markers, and intoxication signs. Results indicated that MSME had a total flavonoid content of 20.00 ± 4.45 μg QE/mg and total phenolic content of 61.99 ± 0.08 μg GAE/mg. The β-carotene bleaching assay showed MSEO achieved 87.89 ± 1.68% effectiveness in antioxidant capacity. MSME exhibited strong radical scavenging ability for DPPH and ABTS, alongside significant dermatopro-tective and anti-inflammatory activity, with an IC50 value of 2.28 mg/mL in the protein denaturation model. In vivo studies demonstrated that oral administration of MSME at 200 and 400 mg/kg signi-ficantly reduced inflammation levels six hours post-edema induction. Acute toxicity results showed no significant body weight or biochemical marker effects at doses of 2000 mg/kg or lower, with normal liver and kidney histology. Key volatile compounds in MSEO included neophytadiene (17.3%), penta-cosane (16.24%), phytol (15.99%), hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (10.20%), 2-methyltetracosane (8.82%), and tetracontane (5.76%). Overall, the findings suggest Malva sylvestris as a promising natural source of bioactive compounds with significant antioxidant properties, highlighting potential applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and medicine. Further investigations are recommended to explore specific chemicals, molecular mechanisms, and additional in vivo tests for a better under-standing of its biological functions.