Evaluation of Biological Activity and Pharmacological Attributes of Pariploca aphylla: Potential Source of Functional Food and Nutraceuticals

Abstract

Functional foods and nutraceuticals are gaining popularity as they are being developed and commercialized with the aim of reducing the risk of various diseases and their treatment. In this study, antiradical activity guided fractionation of Pariploca aphylla (P. aphylla) crude extract was conducted. A crude methanolic extract of P. aphylla was prepared and then fractionated using different solvents, including hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. This approach allowed for the isolation and characterization of different fractions of P. aphylla with potential antioxidant activity. These fractions were tested for the determination of total phenolic content, antiradical (DPPH• and ABTS•+) potential and HPLC quantification of phenolic acids. Among all the tested fractions, butanol fraction exhibited highest phenolic content and significant antiradical potential. Butanol faction was further sub-fractionated using a silica gel-loaded column and 18 sub-fractions were obtained. Antiradical potential of all 18 sub-fractions was determined and sub-fraction 12 was found having highest radical scavenging potential. Structures of compounds in sub-fraction 12 were identified and quantified using GC-MS. Among all the identified compounds, 7-Trimethylsilyloxytridecane (C16H36OSi) and 1,2-bis(trimethylsiloxy)ethane (C8H22O2Si2) were found in highest ratio. All of the compounds can be declared having high anti-radical potential that can be extracted or synthesized for possible exploitation as functional food or nutraceuticals.