Quantitative Phytochemical Profile and In Vitro Antioxidant Properties of Ethyl Acetate Extracts of Xerophyta spekei (Baker) and Grewia tembensis (Fresen)

Abstract

Overproduction of free radicals in excess of antioxidants leads to oxidative stress which can cause harm to the body. Conventional antioxidants have drawbacks and are believed to be carcinogenic. The present study seeked to confirm folklore use and validate the antioxidant potentials of Grewia tembensis and Xerophyta spekei which have been widely used in the Mbeere community as medicinal plants. Antioxidant properties were determined through scavenging effects of diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide radicals as well as iron chelating effects. The data obtained was assayed in comparison to the standards (Ascorbic acid and EDTA). Ascorbic acid had a significantly greater DPPH radical scavenging property with an inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 20.54 ± 2.24 µg/mL in comparison to the plant extracts, which had IC50 values of 33.00 ± 1.47 µg/mL, 69.66 ± 1.01 µg/mL and 86.88 ± 2.64 µg/mL for X. spekei, G. tembensis leaf and G. tembensis stem bark extracts, respectively. EDTA demonstrated a significantly greater iron chelating effect having a significantly lesser IC50 value of 25.05 ± 0.79 µg/mL as opposed to 43.56 ± 0.46 µg/mL, 89.78 ± 0.55 µg/mL, and 120.70 ± 0.71 µg/mL for X. spekei, G. tembensis leaf, and G. tembensis stem bark extracts respectively. Additionally, ascorbic acid also exhibited stronger hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging effect than the studied extracts. Generally, X. spekei extract had higher antioxidant activities as compared to both the leaf and stem bark extracts of G. tembensis. The phytochemical screening demonstrated the presence of secondary metabolites associated with antioxidant properties. The present study therefore, recommends ethno medicinal and therapeutic use of G. tembensis and X. spekei in the treatment and management of oxidative stress related infections.

Anatomical and Metabolome Features of Haloxylon aphyllum and Haloxylon persicum Elucidate the Resilience against Gall-Forming Insects

“…Similarly, the ethyl ester of linoleic acid, identified in damaged H. persicum plants, exhibits toxicity toward insects [60]. Further, an increase in the levels of 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid and its derivatives, as well as 9,12-octadecadienoic acid esters (Z,Z)-, cited as potent antioxidants [61][62][63], in damaged H. persicum plants was observed in the current study. Octadecadienoic acid derivatives have also been implicated in the inhibition of snake venom PLA2 toxins and are noted for their significant antimicrobial effects [64,65].…”

Isolation and characterization of plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles from Carica papaya L. fruit and their potential as anti-inflammatory agent

“…Besides, DDMP is also reported as a promising anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antifungal [ 88 ], and anti-cancer activities [ 89 ]. We also found maltol, Methyl 5,12-Octadecadienoate, Methyl 9-cis,11-trans-octadecadienoate, Pterin-6-carboxylic acid, 3,4-Dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP), phenol, and 4-Benzofuranone,6,7-dihydro-3,6-dimethyl which also possess antioxidant capacity, as well as anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-septic [ 45 , 49 , 57 – 60 , 63 ]. These findings are also strengthened by the TPC and DPPH-assays result of papaya PDENs ( Fig 6A & 6B ).…”

Resurrection Plants—A Valuable Source of Natural Bioactive Compounds: From Word-of-Mouth to Scientifically Proven Sustainable Use

“…Metabolic profiling and antioxidant activity studies confirm the potential of Xerophyta spp. as a source of crude extracts for traditional ethnomedicine [48] and pharmacological application [49]. M. flabellifolius is also rich in polyphenols, especially flavonoids, and its extracts effectively suppress the growth of the leukemic cell line HL-60, but not the non-leukemic lymphocytes of the TK6 line [50].…”