A Comparative Study on Wet and Dry extracts of Caralluma fimbriata for Phytochemicals and Evaluation of Therapeutic activity

Author: Vyshali V.M., Ravikumar Patil H.S., Basavanna M., Shivakumara P., Sumalatha K.R., Sushmitha S. and Maruthi K.R.

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Abstract

To compare the phytochemicals and evaluate the antioxidant, antidiabetic and antimicrobial activity of different extracts (petroleum ether, ethanol and aqueous) of dry and wet samples of Caralluma fimbriata (C. fimbriata) is proposed. Phytochemicals are screened in all the extracts by standard methods and total alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and tannins are quantified by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The elemental profiling and proximate analysis are carried out to determine the nutritive value of C. fimbriata. Further the evaluation of antioxidant activities by 2, 2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2-azino-bis-3-ethylenebenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP), Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) assay and antidiabetic activity by α-amylase and α glucosidase inhibition are performed. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts is determined in vitro by MIC (minimum inhibition Concentration). Results revealed that the phytochemical components tested are present in varying concentrations in all the extracts corresponding to differences in their antioxidant, free radical scavenging activities, antidiabetic and antimicrobial activities with high nutritive value. Therefore, one can conclude that there is a significant correlation between the phytochemicals and activities exhibited by C. fimbriata. The comparative study on wet and dry extracts of Caralluma fimbriata for phytochemicals and therapeutic activity evaluation face challenges related to maintaining consistent extraction conditions between wet and dry methods, ensuring accurate quantification of phytochemical compounds, and establishing relevant and reliable therapeutic activity assays. Additionally, variability in the composition of plant material due to environmental factors and batch-to-batch variations could introduce complexity to the study. The challenges of the study include controlling for variability in plant material, optimizing extraction methods for both wet and dry extracts, and establishing reliable methods for phytochemical analysis and therapeutic activity evaluation.

Keywords

Nutritive value, Caralluma fimbriata, Antioxidants, Antimicrobial, α-amylase

Conclusion

The utilization of natural compounds and their structural equivalents has a significant impact on the field of pharmacology, particularly in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. However, the discovery and development of natural products as drugs have been hindered by various challenges, such as the technical difficulties involved in screening, isolating, characterizing, and optimization. These challenges prompted the pharmaceutical industry to largely abandon the search for natural products after the 1990s. Fortunately, recent advancements in technology and scientific understanding have provided new avenues to overcome these obstacles. As a result, there is a renewed focus on studying C. fimbriata, which holds promise as both a potential drug lead and a functional food. These advancements in technology and science have opened up new possibilities for harnessing the therapeutic potential of natural compounds, revitalizing the search for novel drug candidates derived from natural sources. The study's findings suggested that that both the wet and dry extracts of C. fimbriata can potentially play a substantial, advantageous role in providing a healthy and balanced diet as they are abundant in phytochemicals with antioxidants and antidiabetic properties and with respect to variances in their antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and free radical scavenging capabilities. These natural bioactive phytochemicals work in tandem with diet to protect against a number of diseases. Another important prospect regarding C. fimbriata is that more scientific study is needed in the fields of agronomy, breeding, postharvest handling, value addition, and connecting farmers to markets. The study's contributions include a comprehensive analysis of phytochemical profiles in both wet and dry Caralluma fimbriata extracts, along with an evaluation of their therapeutic potential, shedding light on the optimal extraction method and potential applications of the plant for various health benefits. The study provides valuable insights into the differences in phytochemical composition and therapeutic potential between wet and dry extracts of Caralluma fimbriata, contributing to a better understanding of the optimal extraction method for harnessing its bioactive compounds and guiding potential applications in healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.

References

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How to cite this article

Vyshali V.M., Ravikumar Patil H.S., Basavanna M., Shivakumara P., Sumalatha K.R., Sushmitha S. and Maruthi K.R. (2023). A Comparative Study on Wet and Dry extracts of Caralluma fimbriata for Phytochemicals and Evaluation of Therapeutic activity. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(8a): 238-251.