Phytochemical analysis underlying membrane stabilization and anti-oxidant promising potentials of Acacia nilotica seed extract

Abstract

This study has aimed to evaluate the Acacia nilotica seed extract as a natural antioxidant and membrane stabilizer, as well as screening phytochemicals contained in the extract that may underline these activities. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using Phospho-molybdenum and DPPH antioxidant assays; membrane stabilization was evaluated using HRBC-MS assay, whereas phytochemicals were detected using qualitative analytical tests. Acacia nilotica hydro-methanolic extract exhibited potent, concentration (4-512 μg/mL)-dependent antioxidant activity indicated by Phospho-molybdenum and DPPH antioxidant assays, with IC50 values of 100.5 and 33.19 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, the extract exerted membrane stabilizing effects in a concentration (4-512 μg/mL)-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 41.47 μg/mL. Phytochemical analysis of the plant extract clarified the active biological constituent(s) underlying these effects, including tannins, saponins, gums, flavonoids, anthraquinone glycosides, carbohydrates and proteins. These data may suggest Acacia nilotica extract, according to in vitro assays, as a highly potent antioxidant and membrane stabilizer derived from nature and could be applied as an adjunct therapy in disease conditions associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. Keywords: Acacia nilotica; antioxidant; membrane stabilizer; anti-inflammatory.