Phytochemical and biological studies of Agave attenuata

Int J Mol Sci. 2012;13(5):6440-6451. doi: 10.3390/ijms13056440. Epub 2012 May 24.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to examine various biological activities of a methanol extract of Agave attenuata leaves. GC-MS analysis of the n-hexane fraction from the extract revealed the presence of 31 compounds, with mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (11.37%), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (6.33%), n-docosane (6.30%) and eicosane (6.02%) as the major components. The leaves contained appreciable levels of total phenolic contents (10.541-39.35 GAE, mg/100 g) and total flavonoid contents (43.35-304.8 CE, mg/100 g). The extract and some of its fractions showed moderate antimicrobial effects. Leaves extract and fractions also exhibited a good antioxidant potential when measured by DPPH radical scavenging activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation assays. The hemolytic effect of the plant was found to be in a range of 1.01%-2.64%. From the present study it is concluded that this plant could be used as a source of natural antioxidants and functional food nutraceutical applications.

Keywords: Agave attenuata; GC-MS; flavonoids; peroxidation; phenolics; volatile fraction.

MeSH terms

  • Agave / chemistry*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Phenols / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Flavonoids
  • Phenols
  • Plant Extracts