Assessment of antioxidant potential in seed extracts of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. and phytochemical profiling by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry system

Abstract

The present study has been carried out with the seed extracts of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. (Parijat) and evaluates its antioxidant potential and profiling the phytochemical constituents by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The antioxidant potential of the seed extracts was measured by four different in vitro assay like 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, superoxide anion free radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and lipid peroxidation inhibition potential (LPIP) assay. The total phenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were estimated. The ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of seeds showed potential DPPH free radical scavenging activity (EC₅₀ 129.49±3.55µg/ml), superoxide anion radical (EC₅₀ 969.94±8.03µg/ml) and LPIP (EC₅₀ 452.43±5.07 µg/ml) activities. The total phenol content was maximum in aqueous extract (AQE) which was 201.00±0.20 µg/mg gallic acid equivalent. The EAE was rich with total flavonoid and it was found to be 34.50±0.40 µg/mg rutin equivalent. The EAE was subjected for phytochemical-profiling using GC-MS system. The presence of different phytoconstituents supports the medicinal value of the seeds. The results suggest that EAE constitutes a promising new source of novel compounds. Further, it can be used for isolation and purification of specific compounds which have good antioxidant activities and possess useful biological activities.

Keywords:
Phytochemical profiling; Ferric reducing antioxidant power; Lipid peroxidation inhibition potential; Poly-unsaturated fatty acids; Reactive oxygen species

INTRODUCTION

The use of plant as a medicine is as old as human civilization. The traditional systems of medicine such as unani and ayurveda have provided novel concepts and modalities in the healthcare area. Right from the ancient times, the importance of traditional medicines in the treatment of various infections and other chronic diseases is well documented (Pandey, Rastogi, Rawat, 2013). Use of medicinal plants is still a tradition followed by the ethnic community dwelling in the undulating planes and at the foothills of major forests of the globe. N. arbor-tristis L. (Parijat) of family Oleaceae is well known throughout India and all over the world and has a great impact on the health and general life. It is one of the most versatile mythological medicinal plant with high medicinal values in ayurveda and possess wide spectrum of biological activities. The plant based natural products are the main source for the drug discoveries since long times. Each part of the N. arbor-tristis has numerous ethnopharmacological values and utilized for folklore medicines (Sharma et al., 2021).The scientific literatures support the antioxidant (Mishra et al., 2016) and anti-plasmodial (Kumari et al., 2012) properties of the flower and leaf parts of the plant.

The fresh paste of the crushed powder of seeds along with aromatics is applied externally to cure many skin diseases such as skin eruption, dermatitis and scurfy affections of scalp, alopecia and also applied for cooling effect (Sharma et al., 2021). The glycerides of linoleic, oleic, lignoceric, stearic, palmitic and myristic acids have been reported from the seeds (Rahman, Roy, Shahjahan, 2011). The ethanolic extract of the N. arbor-tristis seeds has notable anti-helmintic properties (Das, Sasmal, Basu, 2010). The n-butanol fraction of N. arbor-tristis seed extract possesses anti-leishmanial properties (Tandon, Srivastava, Guru, 1991). The iridoid glycoside (arbortristoside-A) has been isolated from ethanolic extract of the seeds and possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activity (Das, Sasmal, Basu, 2008). The n-butanol fraction of seed extract of N. arbor-tristis is effective against encephalomyocarditis and semliki forest viruses and thus possesses anti-viral properties (Gupta et al., 2005).

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is the radical derivatives of oxygen generated by the electron leakage from electron transport chain (ETC) and is considered the most important free radical in biological systems. The ROS are the harmful by products generated during the normal physiological and cellular functions and have negative impacts on the organism’s health. The ROS includes superoxide radical (O₂ ^•-), singlet oxygen (¹O₂), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), alkoxyl radical (RO^•), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) and peroxynitrite (ONOO^-) which are generated as by product of biological reactions or exogenous factors (Karmakar et al., 2011; Apak et al., 2016). Antioxidants were considered as free radical scavenger by breaking chain reaction as well as by binding with the metal ion (Adjimani, Asare, 2015). In the recent year attention was given on natural antioxidants (Li et al., 2014). Natural antioxidant are safe than synthetic one (Liu et al., 2013). Natural antioxidant rich with phenol and flavonoids effectively scavenged the free radicals, chelates with the metals (Dzoyem, Eloff, 2015), and checked the progressive oxidative damages. Medicinal plants parts rich with antioxidants can be used to inhibit the damaging effects of the reactive oxygen species. Antioxidants fight against free radicals and protect against various diseases.

Some of the medicinal properties of the plant might be attributed due to its scavenging activity of reactive oxygen species (Kasote et al., 2015). However, there is no report on comparative antioxidant potential of crude extracts of seeds of N. arbor-tristis. Hence, the objective of this study was to determine the antioxidant potential of different seed extracts by DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging assays and to measure the total phenol and flavonoid content in seed extracts of N. arbor-tristis. Additionally, ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and lipid peroxidation inhibition potential (LPIP) of extracts were investigated. Phytochemical profiling of the extract was performed to get an idea about chemical compounds present in the seeds using GC-MS analysis. To the best of our knowledge, there is no any systematic report regarding profiling of phytochemical constituents of the seed extracts of N. arbor-tristis using GC-MS analysis and evaluation its antioxidant properties.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seed collection site and preparation of extract

The seeds of N. arbor-tristis were collected from the ayurvedic garden of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India (NL25°16´23´´and EL82°59´50´´). A voucher specimen (DG/15/124) was deposited in Department of Dravyaguna, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University Varanasi. The seeds were washed under running tap water and dried at 25°C for 7 days. Dried seeds were grinded into course powder. Hot percolation extraction process was adopted for aqueous extract (AQE) preparation. For extraction 25.40 g of the powdered material was boiled in 250 ml distilled water for 30 minutes, kept for 3 days with intermittent shaking. Soxhlet extraction procedure was adopted for the preparation of ethanol extract (EE) and ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of seeds. For the preparation of EE and EAE, powdered seeds (25.40 g) were extracted in 250 ml of ethanol and ethyl acetate. Extracts were evaporated to dryness at 45°C with a rotatory evaporator. The dried semi-solid extracts were used for analysis and stored in refrigerator at 4°C for further studies.

Qualitative phytochemical analysis

Preliminary phytochemical analysis in different extracts was performed by the methods of Bhandary et al. (2012), Maria et al. (2018) and Gul et al. (2017).

Biochemical assay

The method of Brand-Williams, Cuvelier and Berset (1995) was used for the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging antioxidant analysis. The freshly prepared 3 ml methanol (0.004% w/v) DPPH solution was mixed in the seed extracts of various concentrations and the reaction mixture was incubated at 37°C for 15 minutes. The absorbance of solution was measured at 517 nm. Inhibition percentage of free radical was calculated by the formula given in Equation 1. Ascorbic acid was used as a reference control for antioxidant assay.

$\mathrm{Inhibition}\mathrm{percentage}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{free}\mathrm{radical}(\%)=\left[\right(\mathrm{Absorbance}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{control}-\mathrm{Absorbance}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{sample})/\mathrm{Absorbance}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{control}]\times 100\dots .$ [Eq. 1]

Superoxide radical scavenging activity was measured by the method of Beauchamp and Fridovich (1971). The reaction mixture contained 0.01M phosphate buffer solution (PBS) (pH 7.8), 130 mM (w/v) methionine, 60 µM (w/v) riboflavin, 0.5 mM (w/v) EDTA, 0.75 mM (w/v) NBT, and 500 µl of test sample solution (seed extracts). The total volume of each reaction mixture was 3000 µl. The reaction mixture was exposed with fluorescent light (20W) for 6 minutes for initiating the reaction and later absorbance was recorded at 560 nm. The tubes containing reaction mixture were placed under dark condition and it served as control. The inhibition percentage of superoxide radical generation was measured by comparing the absorbance of the control and reaction mixture containing test sample by using the formula of equation 1. The 0.01M phosphate buffer solution was used as blank. The copper sulphate was used as reference control.

The FRAP of the extracts were determined by Oyaizu (1986) method. The different concentrations (50-1000 µg/ml) of the extracts was mixed with 2500 µl of sodium phosphate buffer (0.2M, pH 6.6) and 2500 µl of 1% potassium hexa-cyanoferrate (K₃ [Fe (CN)₆]) and incubated at 37 ºC for 20 min. After the addition of 2500 µl of 10% TCA, the mixture was centrifuged at 1000 rpm for 10 min. Then 2500 µl of upper layer was mixed with 2500 µl distilled water and 500 µl of 0.1% (w/v) FeCl₃ solution. The ascorbic acid was used as a reference control. FRAP was measured by determining the absorbance at 700 nm

Ohkawa, Ohishi and Yagi (1979) protocol was followed for the measurement of LPIP. Egg-yolk homogenates was used as source of lipid-rich media. The reaction mixture containing 250 µl of egg homogenate (10% in distilled water, v/v) and 50 µl of extracts were mixed properly and the volume was maintained up to 500 µl, by adding distilled water. Freshly prepared 25 µl of FeSO₄ (0.07Mw/v) was added in the test tube and incubated up to 30 minutes, to induce lipid peroxidation. Thereafter, 750 µl of 20 % (v/v) acetic acid (pH 3.5) and 750 µl of 0.8% TBA (w/v) (prepared in 1.1% sodium dodecyl sulphate) and 25 µl 20% (w/v) TCA were added, vortexes, and then incubated on boiling water bath for 1 hour. After cooling, 3000 µl of 100 % 1-butanol was added to each tube, shaken vigorously and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 minute. The absorbance of the organic upper layer was measured against 3000 µl butanol at 532 nm. The 50 µl distilled water present in the tube in place of the extracts was used as control. Ascorbic acid was considered as standard reference control.

Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) assay (Mc Donald et al., 2001) was used for the determination of total phenol content (TPC) and were expressed as µg/mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) through the gallic acid calibration curve. The method of Chang et al. (2002) was followed for the measurement of total flavonoid content (TFC) and was analyzed by rutin standard curve and was represented as µg/mg rutin equivalents (RE).

Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of EAE of seed

The compounds were analyzed using GC-MS (GC-MS-QP-2010 Ultra; Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan) system. Injector and detector temperatures were set at 260 and 280 ºC respectively. One micro-liter sample was injected and analyzed with the column held initially at 50 ºC for 1 min and then increased up to 280 ºC. The oven temperature programmed to increase from 50 ºC for 3 min to 250 ºC for 2 min and then 280 ºC. It was held at this temperature for 23 ºC. The mass spectra were taken at 71.5 eV with scan interval 0.20 second and fragment from 40 to 650 Da. The total GC run time was 40 min. For GC-MS detection an electron ionization system with ionizing energy 71.5 eV and helium carrier gas at constant flow rate 1.25 ml/min was performed. The identification of the different compounds was performed by comparison of their relative retention times and mass spectra with those of authentic reference compounds using National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Wiley 8 library database.

Statistical analysis

Each experiment was executed in triplicate and results were reported as mean value standard error (SE). Statistical evaluations involve analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s multiple range tests by using SPSS V.16.0 software. The significant difference at P≤0.05 from each other was considered as statistically significance. The linear regression analysis was followed for estimation of half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) value.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Extraction yield and qualitative analysis

The percent extraction yield (w/w) was calculated and it was 30.95% in EE, 30.59 % in EAE and 26.93 % in AQE respectively (Table I). Qualitative analysis of phytoconstituents revealed that phenol, flavonoid, tannin, triterpene, cumarine, anthraquinone and glycosides were present in all extracts (Table II).

TABLE I
Extraction yield from different seed extracts

Extract	Extract weight (g)	Percent extraction yield
EE	6.22	30.95
EAE	6.12	30.59
AQE	5.42	26.93

TABLE II
Qualitative phytochemical constituents of different seed extracts

Test	EE	EAE	AQE
Alkaloid	-	-	_
Phenol	+	+	+
Flavonoid	+	+	+
Tanin	+	+	+
Triterpene and steroid	+	+	+
Cumarine	+	+	++
Saponine	+	+	+
Phlobatanine	-	-	-
Anthraquinone	+	+	++
Glycoside	+	+	+
Protein	-	-	-
+Present/-Absent

Assay of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity

The antioxidant activity of seed extracts of N. arbor-tristis was evaluated by their ability to scavenge DPPH free radical. All three extracts of seed have significant DPPH free radical scavenging activity (Figure 1). Among these, EAE showed dose dependent inhibition of DPPH activity and scavenging activity of extract increased with increasing concentration. At higher concentration (600µg/ ml) extract gave the highest percentage (80.23±0.15) of inhibition of DPPH activity (Figure 1). EAE exhibits comparatively more effective (EC₅₀) total antioxidant capacity (129.43±3.55 µg/ml) than EE (144.47±1.21µg/ml) and AQE (218.67±3.21µg/ml). The EE and AQE exhibited weaker DPPH free radical scavenging activity than EAE. The percentage mean value of half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of reference control (ascorbic acid) to scavenge free radical is 78.72±11.19 µg/ml. The free radical scavenging activity by DPPH was extensively studied to determine the antioxidant capacity of the polyphenol constituents (Mishra et al., 2019). DPPH is nitrogen centered stable free radical and reduced by free electron and hydrogen radical donation and forms a stable diamagnetic molecule (Soares et al., 1997). The color of DPPH solution was changed from purple to yellow which can be monitored as decrease the absorbance at 517 nm (Canadanovic-Brunet et al., 2014). A methanolic solution of DPPH radicals was converted into DPPH₂ (diphenylhydrazine) molecules when mixed with an antioxidant compound that can transfer a hydrogen atom or an electron and is converted into reduced form. All the extracts of seed have shown steady increase in the percent inhibition of DPPH^· with increasing concentration. The ability of free radical scavenging activity of seed extracts on the basis of EC₅₀ value for DPPH free radical was as follows: EAE > EE > AQE. Our results is in tuned with another investigation that ethyl acetate extract of seed of N. arbor-tristis was very potent and exhibited significant DPPH free radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ 459.91±1.40 μg/ml) (Vajravijayan et al., 2013). In another study ethyl acetate extract of leaf of N. arbor-tristis showed noticeable percentage of DPPH free radical scavenging effect (69.68%) at 500 μg/ml, while other extracts showed lesser DPPH scavenging effect (Karan et al., 2019). These results evidently supports that EAE has potential antioxidant activity.

FIGURE 1
DPPH free radical scavenging potential in different seed extracts of N. arbor-tristis L. Different letters indicate the significant differences from each other at P ≤0.05.

Assay of superoxide anion free radical scavenging activity

Extracts of seeds have potent scavenging activity for superoxide radicals such as H₂O₂, OH^• and ¹O₂. The results of the superoxide radical scavenging activity of all three extracts were as follows: EAE (969.94±8.03µg/ ml) followed by EE (1087.33±6.22 µg/ml) and AQE (1214.83±9.65 µg/ml). Overall, EAE was comparatively more potent for free radical scavenging activity than other two extracts (Figure 2). The percentage mean value (EC₅₀) of standard (copper sulphate) was 337.82±0.18 µg/ml. Superoxide anions radical is a harmful species to cellular components and are produced by a number of cellular reactions including xanthine oxidase, lipooxygenases, NADPH oxidases and peroxidases. They are precursor of reactive oxygen species and induced damages to biomolecules including lipid, protein and DNA (Mandade, Sreenivas, Choudhury, 2011). The conversion of superoxide and H₂O₂ into more reactive species, like hydroxyl radical (OH^•) is one of the unfavorable effect caused by superoxide radicals (Hazra, Biswas, Mandal, 2008). The radical scavenging activity is usually related to the presence of hydroxyl group in aromatic rings of the phenolic compounds (Brand-Williams, Cuvelier and Berset, 1995). Superoxide anion reduces the yellow dye (NBT²⁺) to generate the blue intensity formazan, which is determined spectrophotometrically at 560 nm. In present study, all extracts of seeds are found to be an effective scavenger of singlet oxygen generated in riboflavin-NBT-light system. It revealed that the scavenging activity of all extracts was correlated with increase in the concentration of extracts. The inhibition of NBT blue colour complex formation is the result of antioxidant activity (Rahman, Imran, Islam, 2013). In this assay the EAE has greater scavenging potential than EE and AQE.

FIGURE 2
Superoxide anion free radical scavenging potential of N. arbor-tristis L. seed extracts. Different letters indicate the significant differences from each other at P ≤0.05.

Assay of ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)

FRAP of different extracts was increased with increased concentration of the extracts. It was found that higher absorbance at 700 nm indicates higher reducing power. The reducing power activities of all three extracts at 1000 µg/ml were decreased in this order: EAE (A_{700 nm} = 0.245±0.014) > EE (A_{700 nm} = 0.220±0.010) > AQE (A_{700 nm} = 0.201±0.010) (Figure 3). The same concentration (1000 µg/ml) of ascorbic acid which is used as a positive control in this assay had ferric reducing antioxidant power value of 0.645±0.031 at 700 nm. The ferric reducing power of the extracts was linearly proportional to the concentration of the sample. The increased absorbance of reaction mixture indicates the stronger reducing power. FRAP assay used for the study of antioxidant activity was based on the change in the color of the test solution from yellow to various shades of green, depending on the reducing power of the extract. The degree of color change was correlated with the sample’s antioxidant activity. In this assay during reaction the reduction of Fe (III) to Fe (II) took place by antioxidants and form perl’s purssian blue (Kim et al., 2014). Reducer concentrations directly linked with Fe²⁺ concentration which can be monitored by the absorbance of samples. These reducers showed their antioxidant action by breaking the free radical chain by donating a hydrogen atom and also react with certain precursors of peroxide. In this study, FRAP of all extracts was increased with increasing its concentration. Generally, the reducing power activities was based on the breakdown of the free radical chain by donating a hydrogen atom and also reaction with the other precursor of peroxide, which in turn prevent the peroxide formation, as absorbing and neutralizing free radicals, quenching singlet and triplet oxygen (Yildirim et al., 2000). It was also observed a direct correlation between antioxidant activity and reducing power of plant extracts (Ferreira et al., 2007). The reducing capacity of extracts may serve as a significant indicator of its potential antioxidant activity. Our results shows that EAE is an electron donor and could react with free radicals and convert them to more stable product and also terminate the radical chain reaction. At the higher concentration (1000 µg/ml) the ferric reducing antioxidant power of EAE of seeds of N. arbor-tristis and positive control ascorbic acid was 0.245±0.014 and 0.645±0.031 respectively.

FIGURE 3
Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of ascorbic acids and different seed extracts (EE, EAE and AQE) of N. arbor-tristis L.

Determination of lipid peroxidation inhibition potential (LPIP)

The extracts of seeds have excellent LPIP (Figure 4). The EAE was more effective for lipid peroxidation inhibition potential (EC₅₀ 452.43±5.07 μg/ml) than other extracts. The trend of LPIP in all three extracts was in this order: EAE > EE > AQE (Figure 4). The effective mean value of half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of reference compound (ascorbic acid) for lipid peroxidation inhibition potential was 297.67±0.39 µg/ml. The oxidative damage may lead to the lipid peroxide formation. In lipid peroxidation, oxidative deterioration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) either in the form of free fatty acids (FFAs) or triacylglycerides (TAGs) was took place. In general, membrane phospholipids (mostly glycolipids, phospholipids, and sphingolipids) and cholesterol are the major targets of the oxidative damage in biological systems. It is due to the presence of methylene groups adjacent to double bonds. The lipid peroxidation caused oxidative cleavage of PUFA, which induced cell injury and leading to formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) (Ayala, Munoz, Arguelles, 2014). The initiation of peroxidation reaction in membrane or PUFA is the result of abstraction of hydrogen atom from double bond in fatty acids. The free radical, initiated oxidative chain reaction by molecular rearrangement and reaction with methylene group of PUFA to produce a conjugated dienes, which reacts with an oxygen molecule to produce a peroxy radical (Blokhina, Virolainen, Fagerstedt, 2003). Peroxy radical is highly reactive to propagate the chain reaction of lipid peroxidation to form cyclic peroxidase. During the formation of cyclic peroxidase, lipid molecules gradually oxidized to the maximum possible extent. In biological system lipid peroxidation generates a number of degradation products such as MDA. MDA is a cytotoxic product of PUFA peroxidation, which is highly reactive and toxic. It interacts with proteins and DNA and caused loss of protein function and DNA mutations. MDA accumulation is a key sign of the occurrence of lipid peroxidation and has been widely used as the key indicator of oxidative stress. In general, peroxidation of lipid bilayer membrane further assisted in the creation of pores, which may help in the penetration of reactive oxygen species, and eventually causing the oxidative stress.

FIGURE 4
Lipid peroxidation inhibition potential (LPIP) of seed extracts. Different letters indicate the significant differences from each other at P ≤0.05.

Total phenolic content (TPC) and Total flavonoid Content (TFC)

TPC was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) method. GAE was used as standard to make standard curve. The amount of TPC was highest in AQE (201.00±0.20 µg/mg GAE). The amount of phenol in EAE and EE was 159.50±0.28 µg/mg and 187.50 ± 0.25µg/ mg respectively. The amount of phenol content in EAE was comparatively quit low than other two extracts of the seeds (Figure 5). It revealed that extraction in high polar solvent was more effective for TPC. Phenol and flavonoid are secondary metabolites present in the plants acts as free radical scavengers and play vital role in protection from adverse conditions such as UV radiation, injury and infection (Ayyanar, Subash-babu, 2012). These compounds were formed in seeds during its growth and maturity (Zhang, Li, Cheng, 2010). The phenolic compounds act as antioxidant and significantly involved in the free radical scavenging, oxygen radical absorbance, and chelation of transition metal ions (Hossain et al., 2016). The marked effect of phenolic is the prevention of oxidative stress induced diseases. Results revealed that phenolic content was greater in AQE than EE and EAE. Phenols act as a good antioxidant and these properties of the phenol was directly linked to their structure. Due to the presence of multiple aromatic rings bearing hydroxyl groups are capable to quench the colour of stable free radical (Bozin et al., 2008). The amount of total flavonoid content (TFC) was determined by aluminium chloride (AlCl₃) colorimetric method and rutin was used as standard for making standard curve. The total flavonoid content in the N. arbor-tristis seed extracts was measured and it was found that TFC was maximum in the EAE (34.50±0.40 µg/ mg RE) in comparison to EE (27.12±0.18 µg/mg) and AQE (20.62±0.25 µg/mg RE) respectively (Figure 5). Flavonoids are also well-known antioxidant and are present in plants, containing a number of hydroxyl groups attached with ring structure and possess a broad spectrum chemical and biological activities (Nimse, Pal, 2015). TFC in the extracts was analyzed and it was noted that flavonoid content was greater in EAE than EE and AQE.

FIGURE 5
Polyphenol content (TPC and TFC) in different extracts of seed of N. arbor-tristis L.

Correlation matrix between total phenol, flavonoid and antioxidant activity

Correlation between TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity was measured using Pearson’s correlation test. Correlation matrix of DPPH, FRAP, SO radical, LPIP, TPC and TFC was shown in Table III. A significant, strong positive correlation was found between TPC and LPIP (0.993), superoxide anion radical (SO radical) (0.975) and DPPH free radical scavenging activity (0.845). Similarly, a significant positive correlation (P ≤ 0.05) was found between TFC and FRAP (0.999), while a significant negative correlation with superoxide anion radical (SO radical) scavenging activity (-0.998) and LPIP (-0.999) was recorded. The positive correlation (0.845) was found between the total phenol and DPPH assay. The strong negative correlation (-1.000) (P ≤ 0.01) was found between LPIP and FRAP. These results indicate that there was strong relationship between phenolic components in seed extracts with antioxidant activity. In conclusion, we can say that the presence of flavonoid and phenol constituents in the seed extracts are significantly responsible for antioxidant potential.

TABLE III
Correlation matrix between antioxidant potential, total phenol and flavonoid content

	DPPH	FRAP	SO Radical	LPIP	TPC	TFC
DPPH	1
FRAP	-0.903	1
SO Radical	0.942	-0.995	1
LPIP	0.903	-1.000**	0.995	1
TPC	0.845	-0.993	0.975	0.993	1
TFC	-0.920	0.999*	-0.998*	-0.999*	-0.987	1

• ^** Correlation is significant at the P≤ 0.01 level.
• *Correlation is significant at the P ≤ 0.05 level.

Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profile of EAE of seed

The interpretation of mass spectrum was conducted using database of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Wiley 8 library. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) chromatogram of EAE (Figure 6) shows the retention time and detected peaks which correspond to the bioactive compounds present in the extract. The GC-MS profile showed the presence of 29 different phytochemical compounds. The relative quantity of the chemical compounds present in the extract was expressed as percentage (%) based on peak area. The retention time, peak area percentage (%), chemical structures of the identified compounds with their molecular weights are summarized in Table IV. In gas chromatograph mass spectrometry analysis of EAE showed retention time ranged from 5.65 to 40.00 (Figure 6). Based on the abundance the most prevailing identified chemical compounds with retention time and high peak area percent in EAE were as follows: 1,2,3-propanetriol,1-acetate (RT 5.650, 1.63%), pentadecanoic acid (RT 16.632,9.46%), 9-octadecanoic acid methyl ester (RT 17.816,1.41%), octadec-9-enoic acid (RT 18.520,72.83%), humulane-1,6-dien-3-ol (RT 28.389, 1.16%), tetracontane (RT 35.347, 1.53%), and olean-12-en-3one (RT 35.563, 1.84%) respectively. The GC-MS analysis of EAE revealed the presence of two major compounds with maximum peak area percent namely pentadecanoic acid (9.46%) and Octadec-9-enoic acid (72.83%). The other studies revealed that the identified compounds possess various pharmacological activities. The 1,2,3-Propanetriol, 1-acetate present in the extract (RT 5.650) exhibit antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory potential (Foo, Salleh, Mamat, 2015). 1,2,3-Propanetriol, 1-acetate was proven to be a precursor of tricetin (antifungal), but may also serve as a pro-drug and vehicle for anticancer agents (Juneious, 2014). The most prevailing component in the extract, pentadecanoic acid (RT 16.632) possesses antioxidant activity (Vijisaral Elezabeth, Arumugam, 2014). 9-octadecanoic acid methyl ester (RT 17.816) is reported to have antifungal and antibacterial properties (Arora, Kumar, Meena, 2017). The compound octadec-9-enoic acid (RT 18.520) possesses antihypertensive properties (Arora, Kumar, 2018). Humulane-1, 6-dien-3-ol (RT 28.389) has hypo-cholesterolemic activity (Arora, Kumar, 2018). Tetracontane (RT 35.347) has anti-inflammatory activity (Arora, Meena, 2018).The biological activities of the compounds present in the EAE of the seeds support the medicinal value of the seeds. However, further studies will be needed to isolate the novel phytocomponents of N. arbor-tristis L. seed and to investigate their biological activities.

FIGURE 6
Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profile EAE of seed of N. arbor-tristis L.

TABLE IV
List of phytocomponents identified by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of EAE of N. arbor-tristis L. seed and their bioactivity

S. No.	Retention time (min)	Compound identified	Structure	Molecular formula	Molecular weight	Peak area %	Reported activity	Reference
1	5.650	1,2,3-Propanetriol, 1- acetate		C5 H10O4	134	1.63	Anti-fungal and anticancer, anti-inflammatory	Foo, Salleh, Mamat, 2015
2	6.791	Benzoic acid		C7H6O2	122	0.42	Antimicrobial	Foo, Salleh, Mamat, 2015
3	7.588	4-Hexen-3-one,4,5-dimethyl		C8H14O	126	0.31	No activity is reported	______
4	7.787	2,3-Dihydroxypropyl acetate		C5H10O4	134	0.34	No activity is reported	________
5	9.263	Boranamine, N,N,1,1-Tetraethyl		C8H20BN	141	0.08	No activity is reported	_________
6	10.161	1- Hydroxy-4,3-dimethyl-bicyclohexyl-3,3-dien-2-one		C14H20O2	220	0.59	No activity is reported	________
7	10.217	Formic acid,dec-2-yl ester		C11H22O2	186	0.14	No activity is reported	_________
8	11.955	Cyclobutanecarboxylic acid, decyl ester		C15H28O2	240	0.45	No activity is reported	_____
9	12.573	2-Acetyl-3-Phenyl-Acrylic Acid Tert-Butyl Ester		C15H18O3	246	0.11	No activity is reported	______
10	12.652	2-Hexen-1-ol, 2 Ethyl		C8H16O	128	0.11	No activity is reported	________
11	13.034	8-Oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3,7-diol,3-acetate		C10H16O4	200	0.20	No activity is reported	_____
12	13.855	2-PropenoicAcid, 3-(4-Methoxyphenyl)		C10H10O3	178	0.18	No activity is reported	_______
13	14.372	Tetradecanoic acid		C14H28O2	228	0.10	Antioxidant	Krishnamoorthy, Subramaniam, 2014
14	15.261	2-Pentadecanone,6,10,14-trimethyl		C18H36O	268	0.11	Anti-bacterial	Arora, Kumar, Meena, 2017
15	16.105	Hexadecanoic Acid, Methyl Ester		C17H34O2	270	0.31	Anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, nematicide, antihistaminic and cancer preventive; Antimicrobial	Krishnamoorthy, Subramaniam, 2014; Rahuman et al., 2000
16	16.632	Pentadecanoic acid		C15H30O2	242	9.46	Antioxidant	Vijisaral Elezabeth, Arumugam, 2014
17	17.274	Hexadecanoic acid, Trimethylsilyl Ester		C19H40O2Si	328	0.14	No activity reported	________
18	17.752	9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester		C19H34O2	294	0.42	Anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, nematicide, antihistaminic and cancer preventive	Krishnamoorthy, Subramaniam, 2014
19	17.816	9-Octadecanoic acid methyl ester		C19H36O2	296	1.41	Anti-fungal, Anti-bacterial,	Arora, Kumar, Meena, 2017
20	18.520	Octadec-9-enoic acid		C18H34O2	282	72.83	Antihypertensive	Arora, Kumar, 2018
21	22.774	Decyl oleate		C28H54O2	422	0.13	Cancer-preventive, Hypocholesterolemic, ,Perfumery, Anti-inflammatory,Dermatitigenic,	Ponmathi et al., 2017
22	24.929	Oxalic acid, dodecyl 2-phenylethyl ester		C22H34O4	362	0.15	No activity is reported	_______
23	25.223	2-Methyltetracosane		C25H52	352	0.61	Free radical scavenging	Arora, Kumar, Meena, 2017
24	26.545	Squalene		C30H50	410	0.09	Antioxidan, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherosclerotic properties	Lou-Bonafonte et al., 2018
25	26.950	9-Octadecenoic acid(Z)-,Tetradecyl ester		C28H54O2	534	0.19	No activity is reported	________
26	28.389	Humulane-1,6-dien-3-ol		C15H26O	222	1.16	Hypocholesterolemic	Arora, Kumar, 2018
27	32.783	2-methylhexacosane		C27H56	380	0.51	Antimirobial, Decreases Blood Cholesterol	Arora, Kumar, 2018
28	35.347	Tetracontane		C40H82	562	1.53	Anti-inflammatory	Arora, Meena, 2018
29	35.563	Olean-12-en-3 one		C30H48O	424	1.84	No activity is reported	_____

CONCLUSION

On the basis of above study, it may be concluded that EAE was superior to EE and AQE for antioxidant activity. EAE was rich in polyphenols which may be responsible for antioxidant activity. In addition, there was a good correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the seed extracts. The results confirmed that seeds of the N. arbor-tristis L. possess effective antioxidant properties. The presence of various bioactive compounds in EAE was confirmed by GC-MS analysis. Presence of different phytoconstituents with various biological activities supports its medicinal applications and can be recommended for the pharmacological applications of seeds. However, further, study is needed to isolate and purify the novel active compounds for various pharmacological activities, which may be useful in the treatment of various health complications.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Author (AKM) is highly thankful AIRF-JNU, New Delhi for technical support in GC-MS system and gratefully acknowledge for the fellowship recipient from University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India. The author Kavindra Nath Tiwari acknowledges Institute of Eminence (IoE), Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India (Scheme 6031) for supporting the research work.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  17 Feb 2023
• Date of issue
  2022

History

• Received
  05 Mar 2021
• Accepted
  29 Sept 2021