Abstract
Ziziphus nummularia is an important source of valuable phytoconstituents, which are widely used in traditional medicine system of Indo-Pak sub-continent. In this study we investigated the distribution of phenolic compounds in the fruit pericarps of six different genotypes (ZNP01-06) of Z. nummularia growing in the unexplored hilly areas of Pakistan. The methanolic extracts of these genotypes were screened for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant, and cholinesterase inhibitory potentials. The observed biological potentials were explained in terms of the outcome of molecular docking and HPLC analyses. Among them, genotype ZNP02 displayed high TPC (88.50 ± 1.23 μg/mL) and showed potent scavenging activity against DPPH (67.03 ± 1.04 μg/mL) and ABTS (65.3 ± 1.74 μg/mL) in comparison to ascorbic acid (68.7 ± 0.47 μg/mL). Moreover, genotypes ZNP01, ZNP02, and ZNP04 displayed potent inhibition against acetyl and butyryl cholinesterases (AChE and BChE) with IC50 values of 21.2, 20.5, and 23.7 μg/mL (AChE) and 22.7, 24.4, and 33.1 μg/mL (BChE), respectively. Furthermore, the individual compounds in the most potent species ZNP01 responsible for potent enzyme inhibition (identified through HPLC-UV analysis), were computed via docking simulation software to the enzyme structures. Among these compounds rutin exhibited significant binding affinity with value of −9.20 kcal/mol. The differences amongst the phytochemical compositions of the selected genotypes highlighted the genotypic variations in them. Based on our results it was concluded that the selected plant can be used as remedy of oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases. However, further studies are needed to isolate responsible compounds and test the observed potential in vivo, along with toxicological evaluations in animal models.
Highlights
IntroductionPhenolic metabolites are biologically active compounds having great therapeutic potential
Phenolic metabolites are biologically active compounds having great therapeutic potential.Many of these phytochemicals act as antioxidants by scavenging free radicals and, exhibit therapeutic effects against several disorders caused by oxidative stress [1,2], for they are known as radical scavengers, metal chelators, reducing agents, hydrogen donors, and singlet oxygen quenchers [3]
Methanol extracts of six different genotypes (ZNP01, ZNP02, ZNP03, ZNP04, ZNP05, and ZNP06) of the Z. nummularia fruit were collected from different geographical locations and were subjected to quantification of their total phenolic and total flavonoid contents
Summary
Phenolic metabolites are biologically active compounds having great therapeutic potential. Many of these phytochemicals act as antioxidants by scavenging free radicals and, exhibit therapeutic effects against several disorders caused by oxidative stress [1,2], for they are known as radical scavengers, metal chelators, reducing agents, hydrogen donors, and singlet oxygen quenchers [3]. Phenolic constituents present in plants have strong antioxidant potential and could protect living cells against oxidation-related damage [4,5], especially in the suppression of oxidative damage, which leads to several complications, such as cancer, chronic inflammation, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a well-known neurodegenerative ailment that is characterized by gradual memory deficits which further impair cognitive functions [6,7]. In AD patients, deficiency has been observed in the concentrations of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) in the brain
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