Proximate composition, phytochemical analysis and antioxidant capacity of Aloe vera, Cannabis sativa and Mentha longifolia

Abstract

Plants, miracle of nature, are able to synthesize hundreds of chemical compounds for various metabolic functions. Numerous phytochemicals (secondary metabolites) with potential biological activity have been identified in most of the plant species. In order to determine the proximate composition, phytochemical analysis and antioxidant capacity of three well known selected plants species, a study was carried out during June 2016 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Peshawar. The plants under study were Aloe vera Linn (leaves), Cannabis sativa Linn (whole plant) and Mentha longifolia Linn (whole plant) in PCSIR Labs Complex Peshawar. The results from proximate analysis indicated that the plants contained crude protein in the range 0.447 to 0.953%, crude fiber ranged from 12.33 to 28.47 % and crude fat in the range of 5.87 to 14.86%. Furthermore, analysis showed the presences of important phytochemicals such as tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides and saponins in the investigated species. Antioxidant activity of the selected plants by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical) scavenging assay and using ascorbic acid as a standard indicated that Cannabis sativa and Aloe vera has the strongest and nearly the same activity with IC50353µg/ml. These plants can be used as herbal products.

A Preliminary Up-To-Date Review on Pakistani Medicinal Plants with Potential Antioxidant Activity

“…This plant possesses almost 200 phytochemicals and 70-75 diverse nutrients like anthraquinones, amino acids, lignin, enzymes, minerals, saponins, sugars, salicylic acid and vitamins 26 . Antioxidant activity and phytochemistry of A. vera extracts from Pakistan have been described by Malik et al, 27 and Waris et al, 28 . A study from Bhimber AJK of Pakistan 27 exposed the presence of phytochemicals and nutrients like amino acid, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, steroids, reducing sugar, tannins, saponin and terpenoids in the ethanol, aqueous and methanol and extracts of A. vera leaves.…”

“…Investigation from Faisalabad Pakistan M. azedarach leaves, stem bark and fruit aqueous and methanol extracts showed total flavonoid and phenols. A greater linoleic inhibition capacity and DPPH scavenging activity for sun dried methanol extracts as compared to ambient dried extracts has been acknowledged and substantiated the potent antioxidant activity of M. azedarach 59 Investigations of Andleeb et al, 57 , Akhtar et al, 31 and Waris et al, 28 acknowledged the antioxidant action of Mentha species from Pakistan. Mentha longifolia is another vital species of the genus Mentha.…”

“…A study from Bhimber AJK of Pakistan 27 exposed the presence of phytochemicals and nutrients like amino acid, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, steroids, reducing sugar, tannins, saponin and terpenoids in the ethanol, aqueous and methanol and extracts of A. vera leaves. Waris et al, 28 from Peshawar Pakistan documented the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins and tannins in the A. vera plant extracts with antioxidant activity.…”

“…This plant is extensively distributed globaly 90 including Pakistan 91 . Many researchers 28,41,42,91 documented the antioxidant activity and phytochemical profile of C. sativa from Pakistan. An antioxidant investigation from Lahore Pakistan using DPPH scavenging assay showed that the ethanol extracts of C. sativa leaves retain great antimicrobial activity and contains natural antioxidants 41 .…”

“…Another phytochemical inquiry authenticated the presence of alkaloids, glycosides and saponins in extracts of C. sativa. Antioxidant activity with DPPH assay specified that this plant holds a promising antioxidant activity 28 .…”