Abstract
Aspilia africana has been used for generations to treat many diseases in Africa. Its biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, are attributed to a number of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids and polyphenolics. The antioxidant activities of A. africana callus (CA), juvenile in vitro leaf (IL) and root (IR), ex vitro root (SR) and leaf (SL), and wild leaf (WL) dried samples were assessed based on their diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging abilities. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of different plant samples was compared. Further, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantitatively determine chlorogenic acid content in the A. africana plant samples. Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) analysis was also carried out to compare the antioxidant phytochemical content in the A. africana plant tissues. Among the samples, IR, with the highest total phenolic content (167.84 ± 1.057 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid content (135.06 ± 0.786 mg RUE/g), and chlorogenic acid (5.23 ± 0.298 mg/g) content, had the most potent antioxidant activity (IC50 = 27.25 ± 5.028 μg/mL), followed by WL. The lowest polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity were observed in SR. The antioxidant activities of A. africana tissues were positively correlated with the total phenolic and flavonoid content in the samples. The differences in antioxidant activities of A. africana tissues could be attributed to the difference in their polyphenolic content. Our study reports, for the first time, the antioxidant activities of A. africana callus and roots (in vitro and ex vitro). The A. africana samples IR, CA, and WL could be valuable natural sources of antioxidants that could be further exploited for the development of useful pharmaceutical products.
Highlights
Redox processes that occur during metabolism in aerobic cells generate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species at low or moderate concentrations. ese species possess important physiological functions, including transduction of cellular signals and defense against pathogens [1, 2]
Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy (FTNIR) was performed to compare the antioxidant chemical content of A. africana plant tissues. erefore, this study offers a basis for developing pharmaceutical products, including novel anxiolytic drugs, from this unique plant resource
The highest antioxidant activity was observed for in vitro regenerated roots (IR) (Figures 3 and 4). e DPPH antioxidant activity of all the tested samples increased with increasing concentrations (Figure 3). e highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity was observed for IR with values of 86.32 ± 0.592% and 88.43 ± 0.796% at a concentration of 200 and 300 mg/mL, respectively. ese values did not differ significantly from those of the positive control, gallic acid, even at the highest concentration used (Figure 3)
Summary
Redox processes that occur during metabolism in aerobic cells generate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species at low or moderate concentrations. ese species possess important physiological functions, including transduction of cellular signals and defense against pathogens [1, 2]. Ese species possess important physiological functions, including transduction of cellular signals and defense against pathogens [1, 2]. Redox processes that occur during metabolism in aerobic cells generate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species at low or moderate concentrations. If these reactive species are not regulated, they attack vital biological molecules such as proteins, RNA, DNA, lipids, and carbohydrates, leading to cell death, tissue damage, and eventually to the development of chronic diseases [1, 3]. The use of these plants in diets or as medicinal herbs reduces the occurrence of such diseases [3, 5]. Adams belongs to the family Asteraceae and has been used for generations to treat diseases in many African countries [6]
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