Assessment of phytochemicals, antioxidant, anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-hemolytic activity of extract and various fractions of Maytenus royleanus leaves

Abstract

Background: Maytenus royleanus is traditionally used in gastro-intestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the methanol extract of leaves and its derived fractions for various antioxidant assays and for its potential against lipid peroxidation and hemolytic activity.

Methods: Various parameters including scavenging of free-radicals (DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl and superoxide radical), hydrogen peroxide scavenging, Fe3+ to Fe2+ reducing capacity, total antioxidant capacity, anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-hemolytic activity were investigated. Methanol extract and its derived fractions were also subjected for chemical constituents. LC-MS was also performed on the methanol extract.

Results: Qualitative analysis of methanol extract exhibited the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, phlobatannins, tannins and terpenoids. LC-MS chromatogram indicated the composition of diverse compounds including flavonoids, phenolics and phytoestrogens. Methanol extract, its ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions constituted the highest amount of total phenolic and flavonoid contents and showed a strong correlation coefficient with the IC50 values for the scavenging of DPPH, hydrogen peroxide radicals, superoxide radicals, anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-hemolytic efficacy. Moreover, n-butanol fraction showed the highest scavenging activity for ABTS radicals and for reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+.

Conclusions: Present results suggested the therapeutic potential of Maytenus royleanus leaves, in particular, methanol extract, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fraction as therapeutic agent against free-radical associated damages. The protective potential of the extract and or fraction may be attributed due to the high concentration of phenolic, flavonoid, tannins and terpenoids.

Figure 1

DPPH radical scavenging activity of different fractions of Maytenus royleanus leaves at different concentrations. Each value represents a mean ± SD (n = 3): Hrl., n-hexane fraction; erl, ethyl acetate fraction; crl, chloroform fraction; brl, butanol fraction; mrl, methanol fraction; arl, aqueous fraction; asa, ascorbic acid; rt, rutin.

Figure 2

Superoxide radical scavenging activity of different fractions of Maytenus royleanus leaves at different concentrations. Each value represents a mean ± SD (n = 3): Hrl., n-hexane fraction; erl, ethyl acetate fraction; crl, chloroform fraction; brl, butanol fraction; mrl, methanol fraction; arl, aqueous fraction; asa, ascorbic acid; rt, rutin.

Figure 3

LC-MS of methanol extract of M. royleanus, 1, Base peak chromatogram – RP C18 (M + H ions) 300 features. 2, Base peak chromatogram – RP C18 (M-H ions) 59 features. 3, Base peak chromatogram – HILIC (M-H Ions) 164 features.