In continuation of our work on genus Euphorbia, the phytochemical investigation of ethyl acetate fraction of the aerial parts of Euphorbia geniculata Ortega (Eg) family Euphorbiaceae revealed the isolation and identification of eight polyphenolic compounds; gallic acid (1), ellagic acid (2), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside) (rutin) (3), quercetin-3-O-glucopyranoside-7-O-rhamnoside (4), quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (5), quercetin-3-O-β-D- glucopyranoside (6), and quercetin-3-O-β-D-arabinoside (7) and quercetin (8) using spectrophotometric and physicochemical analysis. Quantitative estimation of total flavonoids and phenolics contents were carried out for total methanolic extract. Biological activities of ethyl acetate fraction including nephroprotective and antioxidant activities were evaluated for the first time. The nephroprotective potential of Eg was evaluated in male rats with thioacetamide induced kidney injury. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH method. Results; Quantitative estimation of total phenolics and flavonoids content in the total methanolic extract of Eg revealed high phenolics content (285.4 mg GAE /gm extract) in comparison with flavonoids content (36.9 mg RE /gm extract). Isolation and characterization of eight polyphenolic compounds. The nephroprotictive activity was studied using thioacetamide as nephrotoxicant agent resulted in marked nephrotoxicity. While pretreatment of rats with ethyl acetate fraction of Eg significantly attenuated the nephrotoxicity through alteration of kidney biomarkers, improving the redox status of the tissue and so brought the serum biochemical parameters nearly toward the normal levels. The study revealed significant antioxidant activity of Eg in comparison with ascorbic acid. Conclusion; The results suggested that E. geniculata Ortega ethyl acetate fraction could be used in future therapy as nephroprotective and antioxidant drugs of natural source.
