Assessment of in vitro antioxidant potential of Bambusa balcooa crude extracts and their safety evaluation based on biochemical alteration in C57bL/6 mice

Abstract

Bamboo is an ancient therapeutic plant, having shoots and leaves with high nutritional as well as medicinal value. Owing to their indigenous therapeutic uses, the bamboo-based pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products are in great demand among the masses. However, anti-nutritional factors present in the shoots have toxic effects, which makes their processing and safety evaluation an essential step prior to consumed as food or for possible medicinal effects. Present study evaluated the phytochemicals, in vitro antioxidant potential and toxicity profile of crude extracts of Bambusa balcooa leaf and fresh as well as processed shoots. Total phenol and flavonoid content were found highest in the leaf extract (BLE) whereas among shoots highest content was in the fermented shoot extract (FMSE). Ferric ion reducing antioxidant power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl free radical scavenging activities of BLE and FMSE were also high, corresponding to the presence of various phytochemicals including rich flavonoid and phenol content. The safety profile of bamboo extracts was evaluated by their oral administration to C57BL/6 male mice with the dose of 200 mg/kg body weight for 10 weeks. Results revealed no significant alteration in body weight and general behaviour in all plant extract treated groups in comparison to control. There was slight decrease in the serum lactate dehydrogenase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase level of BLE and FMSE treated groups while serum protein, alkaline phosphatase, urea and blood urea nitrogen of all treatment groups remain similar to the control group. The study revealed that all the extracts of Bambusa balcooa are considered safe as no toxicity was observed, and fermented shoots and leaf extract having highest in vitro antioxidant activity need to be further analysed for their associated health benefits.