Evaluation of the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties of Sabal grown in Egypt

Abstract

Objective Evaluation of in-vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities of alcoholic extracts of leaves and berries of Sabal palmetto, as well as in-vivo antitumor ability of alcoholic extract of berries of S. palmetto against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma is the aim of this study. Materials and methods Antioxidant properties of crude alcoholic extract of leaves and berries as well as two fractions of berries extract, ethyl acetate and butanol, were evaluated in-vitro compared with the standard materials, l-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and butylated hydroxytoluene. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated in-vitro using cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 inhibition assays. Moreover, in-vivo antitumor effect of S. palmetto alcoholic extract was evaluated using Ehrlich ascites carcinoma model. Data were presented as mean±SE, and data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance test. Results and conclusion Crude extract from berries showed potent antioxidant activity compared with extract of leaves. Crude extract of berries was fractionated into two fractions: ethyl acetate and butanol. Ethyl acetate fraction showed good free radical scavenging activity, reducing capability, metal ion chelating activity, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, nitric oxide scavenging activity, and lipid peroxidation inhibition. Meanwhile, butanol fraction produced the highest superoxide anion scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity. Anti-inflammatory activity of S. palmetto berries hydroalcoholic extract and its fractions showed weak COX-1 inhibition activity, whereas COX-2 was inhibited (100%), compared with celecoxib drug (72% at 1000 ppm). The ethyl acetate fraction of S. palmetto significantly reduced the viable Ehrlich cell count and increased nonviable count with amelioration of all hematological parameters. This amelioration reflected on increasing median survival time and significant increase (P<0.05) in lifespan. S. palmetto berries are candidate for intensive investigations as an alternative biological source for Saw palmetto.