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. 2014 Jul;6(3):218-26.
doi: 10.4103/0974-8490.132599.

Evaluation of antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of different solvent extracts of leaves of Citrullus colocynthis

Fazilatun Nessa  1 , Saeed A Khan  1
Affiliations

Evaluation of antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of different solvent extracts of leaves of Citrullus colocynthis

Fazilatun Nessa et al. Pharmacognosy Res. 2014 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Citrullus colocynthis is a folk medicinal plan of United Arab Emirates. Several studies on this plant reported and focused on the biological and toxicological profile of fruits pulp. The present study focused on the antioxidant potency of leaf extract of this plant.

Aim: To evaluate the antioxidant and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activities of C. colocynthis by chemical method.

Materials and methods: Four different solvent extracts (methanol-CCM, methanol: water (1:1)-CCMW, chloroform-CCC and hexane-CCH) of leaves of C. colocynthis were investigated for their free radical scavenging activity using DPPH radical as a substrate, lipid peroxidation (LPO) inhibitory activity using a model system consisting of β-carotene-linoleic acid, superoxide radical scavenging activity (enzymatically/nonenzymatically) and XO inhibitory activity. A dose response curve was plotted for determining SC50 and IC50 values for expressing the results of free radical scavenging activity and XO inhibitory activities respectively.

Results: The high polyphenolic content of CCM and CCMW extract showed highest antioxidant activity irrespective the method used for this investigation. The overall results decreased in the order of: CCM > CCMW > CCC > CCH. CCH extract was inactive towards chemically generated superoxide radical and poor DPPH radical scavengers. The results of LPO inhibitory activities of leaves extract (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL) also decreased in the order of: CCM > CCMW > CCC > CCH. Overall 1.0 mg/mL leaves extract showed highest antioxidant potency amongst the studied concentration.

Conclusion: CCMW and CCM extract of C. colocynthis exhibited promising antioxidants and XO inhibitory activities.

Keywords: Citrullus colocynthis; extracts; free radical and lipid peroxidation; superoxide radical; xanthine oxidase.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Free radical scavenging activity of different solvent extracts [Hexane (CCH), Chloroform (CCC), Methanol (CCM) and methanol:water (CCMW)] of C. colocynthis leaves measured using the DPPH-assay. Results are mean ± S.D (n = 3)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Hydrogen donating abilities of different solvent extracts [hexane (CCH), chloroform (CCC), methanol (CCM) and methanol-water (CCMW] of C. colocynthis leaves measured using the β-carotene-linoleic acid model system
Figure 3
Figure 3
The different concentrations of C. colocynthis leaf extract (CCM, CCMW, CCH and CCC) versus the inhibition of xanthine oxidase and scavenging of superoxide radicals (enzymatically generated). Results are mean ± S.D (n = 3)
Figure 4
Figure 4
The different concentrations of C. colocynthis leaf extract (CCM, CCMW, CCH and CCC) versus the scavrnging of non-enzymatically (phenazine methosulfate - NADH) generated superoxide radicals. Results are mean ± S.D (n = 3)
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