Phytochemical investigation and antioxidant activity of Hyophorbe verschaffeltii (Arecaceae)

Abstract

The investigation was carried out for isolation and characterization of the possible phytochemical compounds of leaves of Hyophorbe verschaffeltii and determination of its antioxidant activity. The air dried leaves of Hyophorbe verschaffeltii were extracted with 70% methanol. The chromatographic investigation for aqueous fraction lead to isolation of five compounds by Column chromatography, thin layer chromatography (TLC), Preparative thin layer chromatography (PTLC) and paper chromatography. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic techniques as 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. The 70% methanolicrnextract was assayed for its antioxidant activity in vivo by CCl4-induced hepatic injury technique and levels of serum liver enzymes Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined, also Oxidative Damage Markers as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver tissue were studied. Hyophorbe verschaffeltii (Arecaceae) afforded aqueous fraction from which five compounds Quercetin (compound H-1), Quercetin 7, 3', 4' trimethoxy (compound H-4), Luteolin (compound H-5), Cannigenin (compound H-2) and Brisbagenin (compound H-3) were identified for the first time. The H. verschaffeltii extract (200mg/kg) showed a remarkable hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity as judged from the serum marker enzymes and antioxidant levels in liver tissues.CCl4-induced a significant rise in ALT, AST, MDA and reduction in SOD level. Treatment of rats with H. verschaffeltii extract (200mg/kg) significantly (P