Exploring the bioactive potential and safety profile of Caesalpinia decapetala seeds and seed oil

Abstract

The rationale for this work was to investigate the phytoconstituents of the Caesalpinia decapetala species and their possible antibacterial and antioxidant capabilities, based on their traditional use in treating conditions such as inflammation, diabetes, purgative, and bronchitis. Analysis of the C. decapetala seed identified phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolics, glycosides, saponins, proteins, terpenoids, and triterpenoids. The quantitative analysis revealed that the phenolic content of C. decapetala seed was greater than that of the seed oil (889 ± 0.35 mg GAE/100g of dry weight). Additionally, the total flavonoid content of the seed was estimated to be higher than that of the seed oil (225.03 ± 7.13mg QE/100g of dry weight). Furthermore, the seed of C. decapetala contained 11.5813% ± 0.242 of the total alkaloid contents. The antioxidant activity of the seed oil was investigated using the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing power, and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) techniques. The measured IC50 value for DPPH was 114.86 µg/mL, while for ABTS it was 138.45µg/mL. Seed oil exhibited a more pronounced zone of inhibition in its antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae. Overall, the present investigation validates that the seed and seed oil of C. decapetala have the potential to serve as a valuable reservoir of minerals, antioxidants, and antibacterial properties. This is due to the presence of diverse phytoconstituents, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids, di-α-tocopherol, stigmasterol, γ-sitosterol, and lupeol, within its fatty acid composition.