INTRODUCTION
Consumption of medicinal herbs is tremendously increasing over the past decade
as alternative approach to improve the quality of life and maintain a good health.
Medicinal plants have been used for centuries as remedies for human diseases
(Nostro et al., 2000).
World wide, several species of plants are currently being employed by human
beings for many purposes (Karim et al., 2011;
Sohail et al., 2011a, b;
Sohail and Sohail, 2011). Many people, especially in
the poorer, underdeveloped countries, rely on wild plants for food, construction
materials, fuel wood, medicine and many other purposes. Traditionally, the people
belonging to many local communities and tribes worldwide are extremely knowledgeable
about plants and other natural resources and are hence dependent on plants for
the maintenance of their health and to ameliorate ailments (Jothi
et al., 2008).
The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed 20,000 medicinal plants globally
and estimated that 80% of the world's inhabitants rely mainly on traditional
medicines for their health care. In India, about 2000 drugs used are of plant
origin (Laloo et al., 2006). The majority of
the Indian medicinal plants are yet to be scientifically evaluated for medicinal
properties and their potential as a source of new drugs is being explored at
large. The medicinal importance of a plant is due to the presence of active
principles like alkaloids, glycosides, resins, tannins etc which are concentrated
in parts of the plants like bark, leaves, roots, seeds etc.
Breynia retusa (Synonym-Phyllanthus retusus) belongs to the family
Euphorbiaceae. Euphorbia is the largest genus in the family Euphorbiaceae and
one of the sixth largest genera of flowering plants in the world, consisting
of about 2000 species. Out of 81 species of Euphorbia occurring in India, about
40 species have been ethnobotanically studied (Kumar and
Balakrishnan, 1996; Jothi et al., 2008).
Many plants of this family have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for
more than 2000 years as anti-tumour drugs. According to Schroeder
et al. (1980), plants of this family have been used to treat cancer,
tumours and warts from the time of Hippocrates (ca 400 BC). Ethnobotanical studies
have revealed the folklore medicinal claim of Breynia sp. (Jothi
et al., 2008; Verma et al., 2010).
Macerated leaf juice is taken for body pain, skin inflammation, hyperglycemia,
diarrhoea and as diuretic, bark as astringent and diuretic. Also the fruits
have been used for dysentery, roots for fits and meningitis, twigs for toothache
(Laloo et al., 2006; Franco
and Narasimhan, 2009; Verma et al., 2010).
The plant has been proved to possess herbicide potential against Parthenium
hysterophorus (Arshad, 2010). A herbal drug consisting
of extracts of Breynia retusa and Leptadenia reticulata has been
used as a galactogogue. The juice of the stem is used in conjunctivitis and
leaves as poultice to hasten suppuration (Pullaiah, 2006).
Hence in the present investigation the phytochemical constituents and α-amylase
inhibitory activity of B. retusa was analysed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Collection of plant materials: Breynia retusa leaves were collected from the wastelands and roadside location of the Chennai suburbs, Tamilnadu, India. The plant was identified by Dr. J. Jayaraman, Plant Anatomy Research Center, Tambaram, Chennai, Tamilnadu (Voucher number: PARC/ 2011/752).
Preparation of extracts: The leaves were air dried under shade, powdered mechanically and stored in airtight containers. Coarsely powdered material was subjected to cold maceration and extraction successively in solvents of increasing polarity such as petroleum ether, chloroform, ethylacetate and methanol for 72 h. Filtered contents were distilled, evaporated, air dried, freezed and stored in air tight plastic containers. The respective extractive yields of the extracts were calculated.
Preliminary phytochemical screening: Plant extracts obtained were subjected to preliminary phytochemical analysis following standard methods. This is to screen the presence of the various active principles present in the plant.
Test for phenolic compounds: To the extract, few drops of alcoholic ferric chloride solution were added. Bluish green or bluish black colour indicated the presence of phenol.
Test for reducing sugar: The extracts were mixed with Fehling’s solution-I and solution-II. Formation of red colouration indicated the presence of sugars.
Test for flavones
| • |
Shimoda test: To the extract, a few magnesium turnings and
few drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid were added and boiled for five
minutes. Red coloration showed the presence of flavones |
| • |
To the extract 10% NaOH solution was added. Dark yellow color indicated
the presence of flavones |
Test for glycosides: The extract was mixed with a little anthrone on
a watch glass, one drop of concentrated sulphuric acid glycosides.
Test for saponins: The extract was shaken with water, copious formation indicated the presence of saponins.
Test for alkaloids: To the extract, add a few drops of acetic acid, followed by Draggendroff’s reagent and shaken well. Formation of orange red precipitate indicated the presence of alkaloids.
Test for anthraquinones: Extract was mancerated with ether and after filtration; aqueous ammonia or caustic soda was added. Pink, red or violet color in the aqueous layer shaking indicated the presence of anthraquinones.
Test for quinones: To the extract, sodium hydroxide was added and formation of blue color indicated the presence of quinones.
Test for proteins: To the extract few drops of Biuret reagent was added. Formation of blue color indicated the presence of proteins.
Test for tannins: The extract was mixed with basic lead acetate solution. Formation of orange precipitate indicated the presence of tannins.
Analysis of primary metabolites: The primary metabolites like carbohydrates,
total proteins and lipid contents were quantified. Carbohydrates were quantified
by the method of McReady et al. (1950), proteins
by Lowry et al. (1951) and lipids by Zlatkis
et al. (1953).
Analysis of secondary metabolites: Secondary metabolites like tannins, phenols and flavanoids were quantified in all extracts individually.
Estimation of total phenols: The total phenolic content of the purified
fractions was determined using the Folin Ciocalteau method reported by Singleton
and Rossi (1965). Briefly, to 0.1 mL of the extract, 0.5 mL of Folin Ciocalteau
reagent and 5.0 mL of sodium carbonate were added. The reaction mixture was
allowed to stand for 30 min and the absorbance was measured at 640 nm. Gallic
acid was used as the standard. Extracts were analysed in triplicates.
Estimation of total tannins: Total tannins were estimated by the method
of McDonald et al. (2001). 1 mg of each of the
extracts were weighed and dissolved in 10 mL of methanol water (7:3). To this
0.5 mL folin’s phenol reagent (1:2) followed by 5 mL of 3.5 sodium carbonate
was added and the color intensity was read at 640 nm after 5 min. Extracts were
analysed in triplicates.
Estimation of total flavanoids: The total flavanoid content of the purified
fractions was determined using the aluminium chloride method reported by Zhishen
et al. (1999). To 1 mL of the extract added 4 mL of H2O
and 0.3 mL of NaNO2 (5%). After 5 min, 0.3 mL of AlCl3
(10%) was added followed by 2 mL of NaOH (1 M). The final volume was made upto
10 mL with H2O and the solution was mixed well. The absorbance was
read at 510 nm. Quercetin was used as the standard. Extracts were analysed in
triplicates.
Estimation of total phenols by HPLC: The total phenolics in both the extracts were detected using a suitable analytical column with the stationary phase Octadecylsilyl silica and mobile phase [A-phosphoric acid:water (0.5:99.5 v/v), B-acetonitrile]. Gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, mandelic acid and vanillic acid were used as reference compounds. Twenty microliter of the test solution and reference solutions were injected into the column. The detector used for analysis was a UV detector, set at 220 nm with a flow rate of 1.0 mL min-1.
In vitro assay of amylase inhibition: In brief 100 μL of the test extract was allowed to react with 200 μL of α-amylase enzyme (Hi media Rm 638) and 100 μL of 2 mM of phosphate buffer (pH-6.9). After 20 min incubation, 100 μL of 1% starch solution was added. The same was performed for the control were 200 μL of the enzyme was replaced by buffer. After incubation for 5 min, 500 μL of dinitrosalicylic acid reagent was added to both control and test. They were kept in boiling water bath for 5 min. The absorbance was recorded at 540 nm using spectrophotometer and the percentage inhibition of α-amylase enzyme was calculated using the formula:
Suitable reagent blank and inhibitor controls were simultaneously carried out.
Activity staining of amylase: Activity Staining of Amylase was done
according to the method of Scandalios (1974). The gel
consisted of 1% agar in 0.4 M phosphate buffer of pH 7.5. The plant extracts
(1 mg mL-1), preincubated with the enzyme were loaded in to different
wells. Untreated enzyme served as a positive control in a separate well. The
buffer used in the gel was also used in the electrode compartments. A stabilized
current of 100 V was passed through the gel for 2 h at 4°C. For visualization
of the amylase bands the tray was immersed in 0.5% soluble starch and incubated
at 37°C for 30 min. The excess starch was then washed and the gel was flooded
with iodide potassium iodide solution for 1 min. Colorless bands against a deep
blue background indicated amylase activity.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The phytochemical constituents present in the Petroleum Ether (PEBR), Chloroform
(CBR), Ethylacetate (EABR) and Methanol (MEBR) extracts were analysed. The preliminary
phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of constituents like reducing
sugars, phenolics, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, flavones and saponins. The
total tannin, phenolic and flavanoid content of all the four extracts were determined
spectrophotometrically. This is because these secondary plant metabolites possess
diverse biological activities and contribute to the medicinal properties of
the plant. Many plant species of the Euphorbiaceae family have been reported
to possess anti-cancer, anti-hepatitis, gastro-protective, anti-pyretic, anti-microbial
and anti-arthritic factors (Verma et al., 2010).
The preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts of B. retusa has indicated the presence of significant amounts of phenolic compounds, flavones, flavonoids and alkaloids in EABR and MEBR (Table 1). Quantitative analysis of primary and secondary metabolities again showed these extracts to have significantly greater quantities of proteins, phenols, tannins and vitamins C and E when compared to the PEBR and CBR extracts of the plant. EABR extracts was found to contain increased amounts of flavonoids and MEBR, carbohydrates and proteins (Table 2).
Flavonoids one of the most diverse and widespread group of natural compounds,
are probably the most important natural phenolics.
| Table 1: |
Phytoconstituents in different fractions of Breynia retusa |
 |
| -: Negative; +: Positive; ++: Significant; +++: Highly significant |
| Table 2: |
Primary and Secondary metabolites of B. retusa |
 |
| All the results expressed are Mean±SD |
These compounds possess a broad spectrum of chemical and biological activities
including radical scavenging properties. Flavonoids and phenolic substances
isolated from wide range of vascular plants, act in plants as antioxidants,
antimicrobials, photoreceptors, visual attractors, feeding repellents and for
light screening. HPLC analysis has indicated the total polyphenolic content
in the extracts of B. retusa to be 6.48 mg (MBR) >5.26 mg (PBR) >4.244
mg (EABR) > 1.787 mg (CBR) (Fig. 1). The most abundant
phenols present are gallic acid, ellagic acid, coumaric acid, ferullic acid
and vanillic acid respectively (Table 3). Numerous studies
have proved the relationship between the dietary intake of phenolics and amelioration
of various ailments (Marinova et al., 2005).
The percentage inhibition of α-amylase by the extracts of B. retusa
was studied in a concentration range of 10-640 μg mL-1.
| Table 3: |
HPLC determination of the polyphenolic acids in Breynia
retusa |
 |
The ethylacetate and methanol extracts proved to be efficient than petroleum
ether and chloroform extracts. The IC50 of ethyl acetate extract
is 30 μg mL-1 while that of methanol extract was 25 μg
mL-1. however, the IC50 of petroleum ether and chloroform
extracts were 80 and 100 μg mL-1, respectively (Fig.
2).
The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts exhibited a maximum inhibition of 98% at 60 μg mL-1 concentration. The percentage inhibition of all the extracts was not dose dependent beyond the concentration of 60 μg mL-1. the inhibitory effect of all the extracts were also analysed on agar gel electrophoresis. The effect of the inhibitory at two different concentrations was studied. The concentrations chosen for ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were 10±IC50 and that chosen for petroleum ether and chloroform extracts were 20±IC50.
Complete inhibition of amylase was observed when the concentration of the extracts
was above the IC50 value. The activity of the extracts was compared
with the enzyme control which exhibited a distinct achromatic band against a
dark blue background on the agar gel.
|
| Fig. 1(a-d): |
HPLC profile of the total phenolic content of Breynia retusa.
(a) PEBR; (b) CBR; (c) EABR and (d) MEBR |
|
| Fig. 2(a-d): |
Amylase inhibitory activity of B. retusa; (a) PEBR,
(b) CBR, (c) EABR and (d) MEBR |
|
| Fig. 3: |
Activity staining of amylase in agar gel electrophoresis.
Lane 1: Negative control; Lane 2: EABR; Lane 3: CBR; Lane 4: PEBR; Lane
5: MEBR and Lane 6: Positive control |
At concentrations below the IC50 value, faint colorless bands could
be observed with all the extracts and this indicates partial inhibition of α-amylase.
With concentrations above the IC50 value complete inhibition of α-amylase
was observed with no colorless bands on the gel. This indicates complete inhibition
of amylase activity and utilization of starch substrate (Fig.
3).
Enzyme inhibitors may be proteinacious or non proteinacious in nature. Hence the inhibitory activity of the extracts was co-related with their protein and polyphenolic content. There was no correlation between the total phenol content and the extent of amylase inhibition by the extract.
A thorough study of literature shows the folklore claim of B. retusa in treatment of diabetes. However, there has been no experimental proof for the same. Hence this study is the first of its kind in establishing the anti-diabetic effect of B. retusa.
Traditional medicament plays an important role in our day to day life in spite of overwhelming influence of modern medicine in treatment of various disorders like diabetes, viral infection, rheumatic disease, allergic condition, obesity, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, etc. Although numbers of poly herbal formulations are used in traditional system, only a few are accepted in modern medicine due to lack of accurate method for their standardization and evaluation. The findings of this study partially justify the traditional claim of the medicinal uses of B. retusa.
Subscribe Today
