Evaluation of effect of different solvent systems on functional and pharmacological properties of fruits and leaves extracts from natal plum

Abstract

This study appraises functional and pharmacological attributes and phenolic bioactive compounds profile of various solvent (distilled H2O, 50% C2H5OH, 100% n-hexane, 100% ethyl acetate, 100% CH3OH, 100% chloroform) extracts from fruits and leaves of Natal plum (Carissa grandiflora). The antioxidant activity of the extracts was analyzed by the determinations of total flavonoid contents, total phenolic contents, DPPH radical scavenging capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. Additionally, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial and individual phenolics composition of the tested extracts were also investigated. The experimental results revealed that the highest percent bioactive compounds extract yield (35.01%) was obtained from fruits with 50% distilled water while lowest (7.2%) from leaves with chloroform. The tested fruit extracts exhibited better antioxidant activity as compared to leaves extracts. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents in various solvents extracts of fruit and leaves varied from 8.7–143.08, 3.1–96.02 GAE (mg/g) and 6.52–62, 3.6–28.84 CE DW (mg/g) while the levels of total individual phenolic compounds, identified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography, were 400–3500 and 600–4500 mg/g, respectively. Pure (100%) methanolic extract from leaves showed highest activity (10.11 mm inhibition zone diameter) against B. subtilis whereas 50% ethanolic extract from fruits was most potent (8.56 mm) against E. coli. In case of anti-inflammatory activity, 100% CH3OH extract from leaves showed better activity followed by 100% ethyl acetate extract. The high anticancer activity was displayed by 100% chloroform extract from fruits (percent inhibition 89.16%; IC50 2.4 ± 0.09) against MCF-7 cell lines in MTT colorimetric assay. The solvents polarity-based differences were observed in terms of quantifiable yield and activities of the extracted bioactive compounds. In the light of present results, methanol and chloroform extracts from fruits and leaves of natal plum can be explored as potential sources of potent bioactive compounds for nutra-pharmaceutical developments.