Evaluation and comparison of polyphenols and bioactivities of wild edible fruits of North-West Himalaya, India

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate and compare the polyphenol contents, antioxidant, anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, anti-tyrosinase and anti-inflammatory activities of 13 wild edible fruits [ Pyracantha crenulata, Berberis asiatica ( B. asiatica ) , Ficus subincisa ( F. subincisa ) , Morus serrata, Ziziphus nummularia, Leea asiatica ( L. asiatica ) , Dendrobenthamia capitata, Ziziphus mauritiana, Prunus cerasoides, Ampelocissus latifolia ( A. latifolia ) , Vitis jacquemontii, Morus alba and Grewia optiva ] of North-West Himalayan Region of India. Methods Fruits extracts were prepared with 80% aqueous acetone and evaluated for total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC). Free radical scavenging activities [against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), linoleate hydroperoxyl and superoxide radicals], ferric reducing ability, ferrous metal chelating capacity, anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, anti-tyrosinase and anti-inflammatory activities were determined by using various in vitro assays. Results TPC varied from 58.83 to 4 496.39 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g fruit weight (FW), being highest in A. latifolia and lowest in F. subincisa . TFC ranged from 108.00 to 1 963.75 mg catechin equivalents/100 g FW, standing highest in L. asiatica and lowest in Prunus cerasoides. A. latifolia and L. asiatica possessed the highest antioxidant activities while B. asiatica and L. asiatica owned uppermost anti-elastase and anti-collagenase activities, respectively. B. asiatica revealed the highest anti-tyrosinase activity and F. subincisa demonstrated the highest anti-inflammatory activity. The present study revealed differential contribution of TPC and TFC in various antioxidant activities. However, no obvious relationship was visible between anti-elastase/anti-collagenase/anti-tyrosinase/anti-inflammatory activities and TPC/TFC, suggesting the role of individual or combination of specific phenolics and flavonoids. Conclusions The abilities of Himalayan wild edible fruits to scavenge a variety of free radicals, inhibit enzymes causing skin-aging and skin-darkening are highly appreciable, suggesting their possible utilization for the development of effective formulations for general health maintenance and anti-aging, skin-whitening cosmetics.