An Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity of a Methanolic Extract of Cucumis melo L. Fruit (F1 Hybrid)

R S Rajasree,Punnoth Poonkuzhi Naseef,G S Anisree,Mohamed Saheer Kuruniyan,Sibi P Ittiyavirah,Muhammed Elayadeth-Meethal

doi:10.3390/separations8080123

Abstract

Cucumis melo L. (C. melo) is a fruit with many medicinal properties and is consumed in various countries. It is utilised for chronic eczema and to treat minor burns and scrapes. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant activity of a methanolic extract of Cucumis melo Linn (MECM). A coarse powder prepared from the fruit and seeds was extracted with methanol (absolute) by a hot continuous percolation process in accordance with the standard protocols. All the extracts were estimated for potential antioxidant activities with tests such as an estimation of total antioxidant activity, hydroxyl radical and nitric oxide scavenging activity and reducing power ability. The qualitative analysis of the methanolic extract of C. melo fruit showed the presence of various phytochemical constituents such as carbohydrates, alkaloids, sterols, phenolic compounds, terpenes and flavonoids. The total antioxidant activity of concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 µg were tested and observed to be 3.3 ± 0.1732, 6.867 ± 0.5457 and 13.63 ± 0.8295 µg of ascorbic acid, respectively. The results also showed significant nitric oxide and DPPH scavenging activities as well as a reducing power activity of MECM. Thus, our results suggest that MECM may serve as a putative source of natural antioxidants for therapeutic and nutraceutical applications.

Highlights

Traditional medicines composed of plants and their extracts used to cure various infections and ailments are being modified and refined to modern formulations in order to play a significant role in the treatment of various diseases such as diabetes, ischemic heart diseases, atherosclerosis and the initiation of carcinogenesis or liver diseases [1,2]
The qualitative analysis of the methanolic extract of C. melo fruit showed the presence of various phytochemical constituents such as carbohydrates, alkaloids, sterols, phenolic compounds, terpenes and flavonoids (Table 1)
The Rf value obtained from HPTLC analysis of the methanolic extract of Cucumis melo Linn (MECM) for phenolic compounds were 0.80, 0.83 and 0.86 (Figure 2)

Summary

Introduction

Traditional medicines composed of plants and their extracts used to cure various infections and ailments are being modified and refined to modern formulations in order to play a significant role in the treatment of various diseases such as diabetes, ischemic heart diseases, atherosclerosis and the initiation of carcinogenesis or liver diseases [1,2]. The physiological response imparted by the phytochemicals induces the desired therapeutic action [3,4]. Cucurbits form an important and large fruit crop set, cultivated extensively in subtropical and tropical countries, and contains a terpenoid substance known as Cucurbitacin [5]. The whole fruit of Cucumis melo L. (C. melo or muskmelon) is indicated for chronic eczema and to treat light burns and scrapes [6]. Dose-dependent cytotoxic activities exhibited by an aqueous fruit extract of C. melo in human prostate carcinoma PC 3 cell lines is evidence of its anti-cancer property [7]. High superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) is responsible for the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant

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Conclusion