Phytochemical profile, in-vitro antioxidant, anti-diabetic and anti- inflammatory activities of traditionally used Euphorbia hirta (L.) growing under wild conditions of Northern Punjab

Abstract

Euphorbia spp., are the widely distributed and traditionally used herbal plants due to their diverse biological activities. The aim of this study was comparative extraction of secondary metabolites with different solvents like acetone, ethanol, methanol and water and assessment of their biological activities from Euphorbia hirta L. Plant extracts from dried powder were prepared in different solvents. Phytochemicals like: phenolics, flavonoids and condensed tannins were estimated using standard assays. GC-FID studies were conducted to find out the presence of various bioactive compounds. Fingerprint analysis using UV, FT-IR and fluorescent spectroscopy was also conducted. Antioxidant activities using various assays, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory potential of extracts were evaluated. Fingerprint analysis using, UV-, FT-IR and fluorescent spectroscopy specified the occurrence of adequate level of polyphenolics in all solvent extracts. Amongst all solvents acetone gave higher yield of polyphenolics in-toto. GC-FID analysis of acetone extracts depicted the presence of bioactive compounds like major 1-naphthalenepropanol.  All extracts depicted enough level of antioxidant activities viz: DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical, iron chelating and lipid peroxidation, but in a solvent dependent manner. Adequate anti-diabetic activity and anti-inflammatory activities were also observed in extracts. The results specified that by using suitable solvents bioactive compounds from Euphorbia species can be extracted and used as therapeutic agents having potential biological activities.