Exploring the phyto- and physicochemical evaluation, fluorescence characteristics, and antioxidant activities of Acacia ferruginea Dc: an endangered medicinal plant

Abstract

Background Herbal plants are potent in curing various ailments of ancient times as they have comparatively lesser side effects. The demands for natural drugs, mostly from plant sources, are increasing over the past few decades. Because of their potent antioxidant activity, Acacia species are used to treat a variety of diseases. One of the species Acacia ferruginea, an endangered medicinal plant, is widely used in the traditional medicine system, and it is considered that standardization would be beneficial. The present study investigates the physicochemical parameters, preliminary phytochemical screening, trace metals by SEM–EDS, and fluorescence properties of various extracts (non-polar to polar) of leaf and bark parts. Standard spectrophotometric methods (UV–Vis, FT-IR, fluorescence spectroscopy) are employed to analyze the functional groups, and the DPPH and total antioxidant methods are used to assess antioxidant potential. Results The ethyl acetate extract of leaves and ethanol extract of the bark are found to be the highest in yield, 16.32% and 2.54%. Results reveal that the total ash percentage and moisture content are of bark and the water-soluble ash of leaves is higher (10.3 ± 0.85, 7.6 ± 0.34, 3.22 ± 0.24%). The bark polar extract contained more macro-elements such as Na, K, Mg, Ca, S, and Cl. Phytochemical analysis reveals the polar extracts of leaves and bark show saponins, flavonoids, steroids, phenolic compounds, and non-polar extracts show mild positive. The total alkaloids, phenolics, and terpenoids (1.58 ± 0.08%; 0.56 ± 0.11; 0.75 ± 0.15) are found to be higher in A. ferruginea leaves. The FT-IR result shows the presence of alkanes, alkenes, aromatic compounds, aldehydes, phenolics and does not contain any toxic substances since there is no peak observed in the region between 2220 and 2260 cm−1. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the species demonstrated that both the leaf and bark parts have prominent antioxidant properties. Conclusions The results obtained from the preliminary standardization of A. ferruginea are very helpful in the determination of the quality and purity of the crude drug. The refurbished findings of A. ferruginea are promising, and further research is important to identify the bioactive compounds, thereby developing nutritional supplements and medications through therapeutic compound isolation. Graphical Abstract

Synergistic Activity of Cinnamomum burmannii (Nees & T. Nees) Blume and Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk. Extracts for Antidiabetic Study

“…The spectra of both extracts displayed a considerable difference, highlighted by the score plots of PCA, which clearly distinguished between the two extracts. The loading plots revealed that CB's significant wavelengths were 500-600 nm (flavonoids and flavins group) (30), whereas AM's were 200-400 nm (triterpenoid and phenolic groups) (31). MGAM is used as a receptor because it has a role like the α-glucosidase enzyme, which can hydrolyse the α-1,4 bond of glucose in the form of oligosaccharides and the presence of catalytic receptor terminals in the form of carboxyl and amino acids.…”

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“…These are alkaloids and berberine. If the chemicals do not show fluorescent by nature, other reagents can typically be used to transform them into fluorescent derivatives or breakdown products (Jeevitha et al, 2021). Statistical analysis showed that by comparing standard and MEFL with control group there was significant reduction in inhibition of defecation in rats.…”

“…Physicochemical analysis includes moisture content, fluorescence analysis, total ash value, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash, foaming index and swelling index was determined by using previously used methods and formula, respectively (Jeevitha et al, 2021).…”

Pharmacognostic standardization of Xanthium spinosum L. through scanning electron microscopy and analytical techniques

“…Fluorescence analysis imparts valuable information for characterizing, authenticating and identifying plant material. The information obtained may be kept as a record and could be used for future correspondence as a reference to accurately identify a particular plant material (Jeevitha et al, 2021). Florescent analysis also acts as a useful tool for detecting adulterants or substituents thus, assuring purity, maintenance of quality and potency of natural or herbal drugs (Bainsal et al, 2021).…”