Phytochemical Investigations and In Vitro Bioactivity Screening on Melia azedarach L. Leaves Extract from Nepal

Abstract

Melia azedarach is a common tree used in the traditional medicine of Nepal. In this work, leaves were considered as source of bioactive constituents and composition of methanol extract was evaluated and compared with starting plant material. Flavonoid glycosides and limonoids were identified and quantified by HPLC‐DAD‐MSn approaches in dried leaves and methanolic extract, while HPLC‐APCI‐MSn and GC/MS analysis were used to study phytosterol and lipid compositions. β‐Sitosterol and rutin were the most abundant constituents. HPLC‐APCI‐MSn and HPLC‐DAD‐MSn analysis revealed high levels of phytosterols and flavonoids in methanolic extract accounting 9.6 and 7.5 % on the dried weight, respectively. On the other hand, HPLC/MSn data revealed that limonoid constituents were in minor amount in the extract <0.1 %, compared with leaves (0.7 %) indicating that degradation occurred during extraction or concentration procedures. The methanol extract was subjected to different bioassays, and antioxidant activity was evaluated. Limited inhibitory activity on acetyl and butyryl cholinesterase, as well as on amylase were detected. Moreover, tyrosinase inhibition was significant resulting in 131.57±0.51 mg kojic acid equivalents/g of dried methanol extract, suggesting possible use of this M. azedarach extract in skin hyperpigmentation conditions. Moderate cytotoxic activity, with IC50 of 26.4 μg/mL was observed against human ovarian cancer cell lines (2008 cells). Our findings indicate that the Nepalese M. azedarach leaves can be considered as valuable starting material for the extraction of phenolics and phytosterols, yielding extracts with possible cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.

The in-vitro Antioxidant Properties of Crude Drugs Traditionally Used for Diabetes Management in Northern Banyumas

“…For example, the FRAP of Chinaberry leaf ethanolic extract from Batu showed a ferric reducing capacity of 106.20±1.53 Rutin equivalent/sample (Ervina et al, 2020). On the other hand, the methanolic extract of the leaves collected in Bhaktapur, Nepal, was 65.02±3.09 mg TE/g DW (Shrestha et al, 2021). The methanolic extract of the fruits from Paraná, Brazil, showed much lower FRAP (of around 100 mM TE/g DW) than our result (Rotta et al, 2017).…”

Antihypertensive Activity in High Salt-Induced Hypertensive Rats and LC-MS/MS-Based Phytochemical Profiling of Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) Leaves

“…Anticancer activity on MCF-7 cell lines was reported on methanolic extract of M. azedarach [ 29 ]. Studies suggest that phenolics and phytosterols from this plant are important for cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications [ 30 ]. Consequently, current studies were undertaken to investigate the antihypertensive potential and vasorelaxant effects of M. azedarach and to provide scientific support for the traditional claim of curing hypertension.…”

Ethnoveterinary practises of medicinal plants used for the treatment of different cattle diseases: A case study in East Khasi Hill district of Meghalaya, North East India

“…ex Britton & P. Wilson Carvone, limonene, bicyclosesquiphellandrene, piperitenone, piperitone and β-bourbonene [ 86 ] Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Drude Phenolics, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, xanthoprotein, quinones, saponins [ 87 ] Mangifera indica L Polyphenols, anthocyanins, carotenoids, derivatives of gallotannins [ 88 ] Melia azedarach L. Flavonoid glycosides, limonoids, β-Sitosterol, quercetin, meliacine [ 89 ] Mentha piperata L. Flavonoids, volatile oils (methanol and methone), lutolin, hesperidins [ 90 ] Mimosa pudica L. Mimosine, tannins, steroids, flavonoids, triterpenes, glycosylflavones [ 91 ] Murraya koenigii Spreng Lutein, tocopheral, carotene, koenimbine, isomahanimbine [ 92 ] Musa paradisiaca L. Phenolics, β-carotene, tannins, ascorbic acid, saponins, lycopene, phytosterols [ 93 ] Ocimum basilicum L. Luteolin, eriodictyol, eugenol, methyl cinnamate, rosmarinic acid, caryophyllene [ 94 ] Ocimum gratissimum L. Oleanolic acid, ellagic acid, epicatechin, rosmarinic acid, apigenin, gallic acid, quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, essential oils (camphene, β-caryophyllene, sabinene, β-myrcene, limonene) [ 95 ] Ocimum tenuiflorium L. 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid, caffeic acid, diosmetin, luteolin, kaempferol, rosmarinic acid, apigenin, genistein [ 96 ] Oryza sativa L. …”