Phytochemical screening and biological activities of methanol extracts from three Acanthaceae species namely Hygrophila auriculata (H. auriculata), Nelsonia canescens (N. canescens) and Peristrophe bicalyculata (P. bicalyculata), widely used in local ethnomedicine, were carried out. Phenolic content quantification indicated that H. auriculata extract possessed the highest polyphenolics content followed by N. canescens and P. bicalyculata. Biological activities assessment showed that H. auriculata extract has the best antioxidant (through DPPH, FRAP and ABTS methods) capacity. Acetylcholinesterase and Lipoxygenase inhibition tests revealed interesting activities from P. bicalyculata. Testing cancer cells antiproliferation, it was showed that H. auriculata and N. canescens) were of good interest (27.00±1.55 and 29.70±3.11 µg/mL). These results showed that the phenolic compounds of these plants could justify their local traditional use to treat inflammatory and tumoral diseases.

ae phenolics Antioxidant Acanthace anti-acetylcholin nesterase anti- -lipoxygenase