Original Research

Polyphenolic constituents, antioxidant and hypoglycaemic potential of leaf extracts of Acalypha godseffiana from Eastern Nigeria: In vitro study

Anita K. Asekunowo, Anofi O.T. Ashafa, Omobola Okoh, Olayinka T. Asekun, Oluwole B. Familoni
Journal of Medicinal Plants for Economic Development | Vol 3, No 1 | a36 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jomped.v3i1.36 | © 2019 Anita K. Asekunowo, Anofi O. T. Ashafa, Omobola Okoh, Olayinka T. Asekun, Oluwole B. Familoni | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 19 September 2017 | Published: 23 January 2019

About the author(s)

Anita K. Asekunowo, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria
Anofi O.T. Ashafa, Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, University of the Free State, South Africa
Omobola Okoh, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, South Africa
Olayinka T. Asekun, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria
Oluwole B. Familoni, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Acalypha godseffiana is an important plant used as an ornamental and herbs; its leaves are used in the management of diseases like diabetes in Eastern Nigeria.

Aim: The study aims at linking the hypoglycemic activity extracts of leaves of A. godseffiana to their polyphenolic contents.

Setting: Fresh leaves of A. godseffiana were obtainedfrom Imo State, Nigeria, identified in University of Lagos Herbarium, air-dried, pulverized and kept for investigations.

Method: The phytochemical compositions and antioxidant potentials of acetone, aqueous, ethanol and methanol extracts of A. godseffiana were determined using adopted methods. An in-vitroapproach was used to evaluate the hypoglycemic potentials of the extracts on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. The mechanism of inhibitions was studied using the Lineweaver-Burk plot.

Results: Antioxidant results revealed that total antioxidant capacity of the acetone extract (IC50: 0.34 mg/mL) showed better activity compared to the standards (silymarin 0.52 mg/mL; gallic acid 0.51 mg/mL). Thehypoglycemic findings confirmed that acetone extract demonstrated strong and mild inhibitory potential against α-amylase and α-glucosidase respectively, showing concentration dependent with IC50 values of 2.33 mg/mL and 0.13 mg/mL. The observed hypoglycemic and antioxidant potentials of acetone extract of A. godseffiana correlate to its high polyphenolic contents which include phenols (133.20 mg gallic acid g-1), flavonoid (350.60 mg quercetin g-1) and tannins (264.67 mg catechin g-1). The mechanisms of action exhibited by the acetone extractwere uncompetitive and mixed non-competitive which can be attributed to its inhibitory properties on α-glucosidase and α-amylase respectively.

Conclusion: The results obtained from this study validate the acetone leaves extract of A. godseffiana as potential agent in management of sugar related disorder.


Keywords

Acalypha godeseffiana; phytochemicals; antioxidant; acetone extract; hypoglycemic

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Crossref Citations

1. Phytochemical, Proximate and in-vivo hypoglycemic Potential of Synsepalum dulcificum for Management of Diabetes mellitus in Nigeria
Temitope O. Onuminya, Anita K. Asekunowo, Folakemi M. Ifelaja, Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe
Annals of Science and Technology  vol: 8  issue: 1  first page: 31  year: 2023  
doi: 10.2478/ast-2023-0005