ABSTRACT: Punica granatum flower and leaf were extracted with hydromethanol 50% and evaluated for antioxidant activity using phosophomolybdenum, DPPH, reducing power, and -OH-scavenging assays; and for antiinflammatory activity using HRBC-MS assay. Both extracts exhibited antioxidant activities indicated by DPPH decolorization and -OH-scavenging and increased Ferric reducing and phosphomolybdenum assays. Also, both extracts
showed anti-inflammatory activities indicated by red blood cell membrane stabilization and reduced haemolysis-resultant
haemoglobin. All results were concentration-dependent; and the leaf extract was more potent than that of the flower. The
IC50 values for the flower and leaf extracts were 777.6 ± 1.48 & 656.4 ± 1.79; 184.3 ± 1.803 & 113.9 ± 2.001; 130.8 ± 1.66
& 81.4 ± 2.1; 132.4 ± 1.55 & 79.67 ± 0.03; and 126.1 ± 1.35 & 67.25 ± 1.28 μg/mL in phosophomolybdenum, DPPH,
reducing power, -OH-scavenging and red blood cell-membrane stability assays, respectively. Phytochemical analysis
revealed presence of tannins and flavonoids with results more obvious in the leaf extract. These active principle contents
may account for the recorded antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of both extracts. These findings provide
evidence for the possible beneficial applications of the Punica granatum leaf and flower extracts in stress-related disease
conditions and for maintenance of normal health status and well-being as well. |
