Abstract

Benthamiella (Solanaceae) is an unstudied endemic genus of the Chilean-Argentinean Patagonia that thrives in harsh climatic and geographic conditions. This study provides a biochemical description of the aerial parts, roots, and polysaccharides of B. azorella, and evaluates their antioxidant, antiproliferative and antibacterial activity. GC-MS analysis of B. azorella roots polysaccharides identified significant amounts of arabinose, glucose and galacturonic acid. The FT-IR spectrum revealed a diverse range of functional groups. Both analyses suggest a complex polysaccharide structure that may enhance the sample’s functional properties. Elemental analysis showed low nitrogen and sulfur content, while proximate analysis showed significant differences in carbohydrates, lipids, fiber, and ash content between the plant parts. Polyphenols quantification determined a higher concentration in the roots (6.66 ± 0.62 mg GAE g-1 DW) compared to the aerial parts. Likewise, the highest antioxidant capacity was observed in the roots using the DPPH (89.43 ± 0.74 µmol AAE g-1 DW at 1818 µg mL-1) method. The aqueous root extract exhibited higher activity against colon cancer HCT-116 followed by aerial parts. Polysaccharides showed slight activity against hepatocytes cancer HepG2. The extracts behaved variably on the healthy keratinocytes HACAT cell line, tending to promote cell proliferation. Both, aqueous and ethanolic B. azorella solutions were non-toxic, did not show quorum quenching and antibacterial activity against human and fish bacterial strains at the tested concentrations. Finally, 21 metabolites, principally hydroxycoumarins, sapogenins and steroids derivatives were tentatively identified in the most active extract using LC-MS analysis. Further assays of B. azorella roots with cancer and healthy cell lines and new bacterial analysis at higher concentrations are recommended. © 2025, Sociedad Chilena de Quimica. All rights reserved.