A Comparative Study on Phytochemical Profiles and Biological Activities of Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich.) Hochst Leaf and Bark Extracts

Abstract

Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich.) Hochst (Anacardiaceae) is a savannah tree that has long been used in sub-Saharan Africa as a medicinal remedy for numerous ailments. The purpose of this study was to increase the scientific knowledge about this plant by evaluating the total content of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins in the methanol extracts of the leaves and bark (MLE and MBE, respectively), as well as the in vitro antioxidant activity and biological activities of these extracts. Reported results show that MLE is rich in flavonoids (132.7 ± 10.4 mg of quercetin equivalents/g), whereas MBE has the highest content of tannins (949.5 ± 29.7 mg of tannic acid equivalents/g). The antioxidant activity was measured using four different in vitro tests: β-carotene bleaching (BCB), 2,2 -azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), O 2 −• , and nitric oxide (NO • ) assays.In all cases, MBE was the most active compared to MLE and the standards used (Trolox and ascorbic acid). Furthermore, MBE and MLE were tested to evaluate their activity in HepG2 and fibroblast cell lines. A higher cytotoxic activity of MBE was evidenced and confirmed by more pronounced alterations in cell morphology. MBE induced cell death, triggering the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which led to a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential with subsequent cytochrome c release from the mitochondria into the cytosol. Moreover, MBE showed lower cytotoxicity in normal human dermal fibroblasts, suggesting its potential as a selective anticancer agent.

Future in the Past: Azorella glabra Wedd. as a Source of New Natural Compounds with Antiproliferative and Cytotoxic Activity on Multiple Myeloma Cells

“…Accumulation of ROS and the disruption of ΔΨ m represents an early event in the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis [ 66 ]. In our setting, the AG CHCl 3 fraction did not significantly stimulate ROS formation in treated MM cells as compared with the control.…”

Dandelion Root Extract Induces Intracellular Ca2+ Increases in HEK293 Cells

“…The use of plant extracts to treat diseases is ancient, and popular observations regarding their use and efficacy prompt the investigation of their therapeutic properties [ 26 ]. The identification of bioactive compounds and their action mechanisms against diseases are the assumptions for the potential use of plant preparations as healthy sources [ 3 ]. T. officinale (dandelion) is an ethnomedical herb used as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, diuretic, choleretic, laxative, and to treat arthritis and liver disorders [ 6 ].…”

“…To date, natural products from medicinal plants, microorganisms, marine organisms (e.g., Acmella oleracea [ 1 ], Sclerocarya birrea [ 2 , 3 ], Agelas clathrodes [ 4 ], and Tedania ignis [ 5 ]) are in the spotlight of many research and industrial laboratories for (i) biomedical applications, (ii) the recovery of bioactives, and (iii) the development of pharmacological drugs. Taraxacum officinale Weber, known as dandelion, is a perennial weed that has been used for hundreds of years (starting from the 10th and 11th centuries) as a traditional medical remedy for several diseases [ 6 ].…”

Hydrolytic degree and antioxidant activity of purified casein characterised by different haplotypes (αs1‐, β‐ and k‐casein) after enzymatic hydrolysis with pepsin and enzymatic extract from Pleurotus eryngii

“…The antioxidant capacity of CN hydrolysates, at 0.5, 2 and 24 h of digestion, was determined by two assays: 2,2′‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging and ferric‐reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The ABTS assay was carried out according to the method of Re et al (), as modified by Russo et al (); FRAP assay was determined as described by Benzie & Strain (), as modified by Perna et al (). All measurements were made in triplicate, and the results for both assays were expressed as milligrams of Trolox equivalent (TE) per milligram of CN.…”