Antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of Zizypus jujuba, Adhatoda vasica and Berberis lycium from hilly areas

Abstract

ObjectivesBerberis lycium, Adhatoda vasica, and Zizypus jujuba are common worldwide medicinal plants. These plants are used in different diseases by local people. However, the scientific rationale for the use of these plants is limited especially in diseases arising from oxidative stress. This study was therefore aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-gout activity of these plants from Kashmir flora. MethodsThe antioxidant activities were studied by different in vitro assays which include lipid peroxidation assay, DPPH assay, ABTS assay, iron chelation assay, total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The antidiabetic activity of plants extracts was analyzed by the inhibition of alpha glucosidase, while anti-gout activities were observed by the inhibition of xanthine oxidase enzyme. ResultsAll plants extract exhibited good antioxidant activities which are due to significant metal chelating ability and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The maximum inhibitory effect against lipid peroxidation was observed in water extract of Berberis lycium root extracts. The maximum antidiabetic activity was shown by acetone extract of Berberis lyceum roots justifying its popular use in diabetes. Acetone extract of Zizypus jujuba showed excellent inhibition of xanthine oxidase justifying its popular use in gout. The high antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of these plants might be due to high phenolic and flavonoid contents. ConclusionBased on these results, it is concluded that Zizpus jujuba, Adhatoda vasica and Berberis lycium are rich source of antioxidants and may be utilized as antidiabetic and antigout agents.