Chromatographic Isolation and Characterization of Certain Bioactive Chemical Ingredients of Phyllanthus emblica Extracts and Assessment of Their Potentials as Antiviral and Anticancer Agents

Abstract

Aim: our study has been aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, anticancer and antiviral activities of Phyllanthus emblica leaves, as well as characterization of bioactive chemical constituents. Methods: The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of plant extracts were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu’s and aluminium trichloride assays, respectively. The antioxidant activities were evaluated by different methods as well as the anticancer activity via MTT assay, while the antiviral activity was evaluated using cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition and anti- HCV assays. Moreover, the extracts phytoconstituents were characterized using reversed phase high-performance liquid-chromatography method. Results: Our finding revealed that P. emblica is rich in glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids and tannins. The n-butanol fraction exhibited the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents with values 654.78 mg GAE /g ext and 110.14 mg RE / g ext, respectively. Also, it possessed the most effective antioxidant activities (DPPH; SC50=19.59 µg/mL, RPAA; 0.948 mg AAE /g ext., and TAC; 543.62mg AAE /g ext.) and anticancer activity against HepG-2 and MCF-7 cell lines with an IC50 of 25.63 and 22.80μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, Phyllanthus emblica extracts exhibited anti-HCV activity. The HPLC finger print results of Phyllanthus emblica extracts showed 14 peaks superimposed to the standards. Structure elucidation of pure isolates was achieved via IR, UV, 1H & 13C-NMR