Abstract
This study evaluated the chemical composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of a Euphorbia hirta L. extract. The antioxidant activities of whole E. hirta ethanol extract were determined by electron spin resonance spectrophotometric analysis of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl, and alkyl radical levels and by using an online high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay. The E. hirta ethanol extract (0.5 mg/mL) exhibited DPPH-scavenging activity of 61.19% ± 0.22%, while the positive control (0.5 mg/mL ascorbic acid) had 100% ± 0.22% activity. The concentration of the extract required to trap 50% of DPPH (IC50) was 0.205 mg/mL. Online HPLC analysis of the extract also showed strong antioxidant activity. The anti-inflammatory activity of the E. hirta extract was assessed in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. The anti-inflammatory activity was highest in the presence of 200 µg/mL E. hirta extract, and nitric oxide production was decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The extract also showed selective anticancer activity at a concentration of 100 µg/mL (p < 0.05). These results indicated that E. hirta may warrant further investigation for the development of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer herbal medications.
Highlights
Constituents of several medicinal plants have been used since ancient times to treat a variety of diseases
The current study indicated that E. hirta ethanol extract had antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities
The present findings of E. hirta-mediated inhibition of nitric oxide radical (NO) production may be of clinical significance for host defense against infections and for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, cancer, and ageing
Summary
Constituents of several medicinal plants have been used since ancient times to treat a variety of diseases. 70,000 plant species have been used for medicinal purposes. The total global market for herbal remedies (excluding soy, algae, and fiber) is currently worth approximately. $83 billion [1], which highlights the magnitude of this industry. One-third of the population relies on traditional practitioners and medicinal plants to meet its primary health care needs [2]. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 80% of people worldwide are interested in traditional medicine. Research evaluating the chemical compositions and therapeutic utilities of herbal medicines is being conducted worldwide
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