Flavonoid Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Tragia volubilis L. Methanolic Extract

Abstract

Several species from the genus Tragia L. in the family Euphorbiaceae are part of the ethnomedicine of traditional cultures, and have a variety of uses. Tragia volubilis L. is a species spread through tropical America and Africa with several ethnomedical uses, particularly for wound healing and reproductive issues. In this study, we assess the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of T. volubilis collected in southern Ecuador. The phytochemical screening of the extract shows the preliminary presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins. The extract shows an Antioxidant Activity Index of 1.14, interpreted as strong antioxidant activity. Four flavonoid compounds were isolated through chromatographic procedures and identified through NMR spectroscopy: avicularin, quercitrin, afzelin, and amentoflavone. The biological activity of these compounds matches the ethnopharmacological uses of the species. This is the first phytochemical study of T. volubilis and supports its traditional medicinal uses.

Exploring the Antioxidant Potential of Tragia volubilis L.: Mitigating Chemotherapeutic Effects of Doxorubicin on Tumor Cells

“…There is a strong linear relationship between TPC and AAI (R 2 = 0.9939) that supports the assumption that most of the antioxidant capacity of the extracts is attributable to phenolic compounds (Figure 4). that of the methanolic extract of the species (AAI = 1.14) [23], while both aqueous and aqueous/DCM extract show moderate activity (AAI > 0.5) [35]. There is a strong linear relationship between TPC and AAI (R 2 = 0.9939) that supports the assumption that most of the antioxidant capacity of the extracts is attributable to phenolic compounds (Figure 4).…”

“…Müll.Arg. [32], and Tragia benthamii Baker [33], and similar to the methanolic extract of the same species [23], with differences such as lesser flavonoid presence and terpenoid absence in the aqueous extract attributable to the increased solvent polarity. Differences with other species, such as the absence of flavonoids in T. benthamii, can be attributed partially to the extraction solvent and procedure followed.…”

“…Among them, the IC 50 and AAI values were determined, representing the amount of extract required to neutralize 50% of the DPPH radical and an Antioxidant Activity Index independent from the sample and DPPH concentrations. Both the aqueous/ethyl acetate (TvH 2 OAcOEt) and aqueous/n-butanol (TvH 2 OBuOH) partitions exhibit very strong antioxidant activity (AAI > 2), greater than that of the methanolic extract of the species (AAI = 1.14) [23], while both aqueous and aqueous/DCM extract show moderate activity (AAI > 0.5) [35]. There is a strong linear relationship between TPC and AAI (R 2 = 0.9939) that supports the assumption that most of the antioxidant capacity of the extracts is attributable to phenolic compounds (Figure 4).…”

“…It is considered nonspecifically medicinal [20] and is reported as being a diuretic [21] and can be used for rheumatism and wound healing [22]. The methanolic extract of its aerial parts exhibits high antioxidant activity, and four flavonoids, namely avicularin, quercitrin, afzelin, and amentoflavone, were isolated from it [23]. The objective of this study is to characterize the aqueous extract of the aerial parts of T. volubilis, evaluate its antioxidant activity, and examine the effect in the cytotoxicity and capacity of the resulting fractions of the extract against Doxorubicin, one of the most widely used and effective antineoplastic agents for the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, and various types of solid tumors [24].…”