In vitro studies of phytochemical, antioxidant, antibacterial and enzymatic inhibition of Oxalis corniculata whole plant from South Waziristan, Pakistan

Abstract

Purpose To analyze phytochemical composition, antioxidant potential, antimicrobial activity and α-glucosidase, cholinesterase and Monoamine oxidase inhibitory potential of Oxalis corniculata extract. Methods Phytochemicals of the 70% ethanolic extract of O. corniculata were quantitatively determined by standard spectrophotometric method. The anti-oxidative and antibacterial potential were investigated by DPPH scavenging test and by well-diffusion method respectively. The p-NPG technique was applied to evaluate α-glucosidase inhibition potential. Moreover, cholinesterase and Monoamine oxidase -A & -B activities were examined by Elman's method and fluorometric kynuramine deamination test respectively. Results Phytochemical study revealed the presence of tannin quantity in range 586 ± 0.05 µg/mg followed by flavonoid; 154.83 ± 0.04 µg/mg and phenolic contents; 135.29 ± 0.01 µg/mg. DPPH radical scavenging of the extract indicates good IC50 value 40.74 µg/ml according to the standard ascorbic acid; 25.79 µg/ml. The bacterial inhibition revealed that the extract were high inhibitory against E. coli, H. influenza and k. pneumonia while showing no inhibition against Acetobactor aceti. Similarly, Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase inhibition result revealed that O. corniculata have effective anti-cholinesterase potential with the IC50 value of Acetylcholinesterase; 34.54 µg/ml and Butyrylcholinesterase; 8.91 µg/ml. Moreover, O. corniculata has good potential against MAO-B inhibition with an IC50 value; 60.68 µg/ml, while showing IC50 value; 274.23 µg/ml against MAO-A. Furthermore, the inhibitory potential against α- glucosidase of the extract shows significant IC50 value (40.59 µg/ml). Conclusion O. corniculata exhibits potential as a valuable reservoir of natural bioactive compounds endowed with a wide array of health-promoting properties.