The Nutritional Profile, Phytochemical Investigation and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Leaves Extract of Pyracantha crenulata Collected from Middle Hill Climatic Conditions of Western Himalayas

Abstract

Pyracantha crenulata (Deoxynivalenol) M. Roemis an evergreen shrub of family Rosaceae extensively reported for antihypertensive, antispasmodic, diuretic, sedative and vasodilatation properties. Despite its clinical uses, analysis of its nutritional profile and elemental composition, as well as the phytochemical investigations revealed the other probable applications of the plant. Quantitative biochemical analysis showed the presence of substantial quantities of carbohydrates, protein, crude, fibre and ascorbic acid along with the physicochemical characteristic of the plant. The elemental composition analysis revealed the presence of several macro elements and microelements, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, lithium, zinc, copper, manganese, iron and cobalt. The phytochemical investigations confirm the presence of medicinally active components such as alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, tannins and phenols. The in vitro antioxidant activity assessed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulfonic acid), scavenging assay and quantitative phytochemical analysis showed that the leaves extract having IC50 value 10.61 μg/ml and 12.73 μg/ml, by 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay, and the phytochemical, such as total phenolic (128.78 mg/g), tannin (385.15 mg/g) and flavonoid contents (22.81 mg/g) respectively. In essence, the lyophilized leaves extract exhibits higher total phenolic, tannin and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity. In summary, these results provide insightful information that the leaves of the plant endowed with several active principles, elemental composition and other biochemical characteristics that can be useful in the therapeutic activities as well as for the nutritional applications.