Biochemical, Phytochemical and Antioxidant Composition of Equisetum debile Roxb

Abstract

Biochemical, phytochemical and antioxidant composition of Equistem debile R. stem was determined. The E. debile extract showed the presence of reducing and non reducing sugars, total sugars, free amino acids, water soluble proteins and salt soluble protein. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and total phenolic acid contents. Trolox equivalent total antioxidant activity of methanolic extract determined by DPPH radical scavenging assay was found to be lower than that determined by Phosphomolybdenum assay while the ascorbic acid equivalent total antioxidant activity determined by DPPH radical scavenging assay was found to be higher than that determined by Phosphomolybdenum assay. High value of ABTS + radical scavenging activity and low values of DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and reducing power have been observed in E. debile extract as compared to Trolox and ascorbic acid. The data provides useful information regarding the nutritional and medicinal importance of E. debile and suggest that this plant possesses good antioxidant activity.The stem sample of E. debile R. was collected from damp areas of Bait Hazara, located along the bank of River Indus, Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan. The stem was cut into pieces with a sharp knife and dried under shade. The dried sample was grinded to fine powder using electric grinder (National MJ-176-R) and stored in air tight jars for further analysis. Biochemical analysisSugars and free amino acids were extracted in 75% aqueous methanol for 24 hr at solid to solvent ratio 1:25 w/v [17]. Total sugars and reducing sugar contents were estimated by the method developed by Travelyan and Harrison [18] and Hulme and Naraian [19] respectively. Non reducing sugars content was calculated by taking the difference of total sugars and reducing sugars. The free amino acid content was determined by the method described by Hamilton and Slyke [20].Water soluble and salt soluble protein contents of E. debile stem were obtained by successive extraction in distilled water and 0.5 M ammonium sulfate solution respectively for 4 hours. The protein content of each fraction was determined by Biuret's method [21].

Exploring the ameliorative role of Equisetum diffusum D. Don whole-plant methanolic-extract in acute inflammation and molecular docking analysis of GC-MS-identified phytocompounds with few prominent inflammatory markers/cytokines for inspecting the potent drug targets.

“…The quantitative phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extract indicates the presence of phenol, avonoid, saponin, and tannins. The presence of these phytochemicals often contribute to the medicinal properties of plants (Rehman et al, 2018). Flavonoids are polyphenols reported to have anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-in ammatory properties due to the presence of hydroxyl phenol in their chemical structure (Y.…”