A study on phytochemical screening, anti-oxidant activity and anti-diabetic activity of Centratherum punctatum Cass.

Abstract

Diabetes, a chronic metabolic disease with high blood sugar levels for a long period of time, with symptoms like frequent urination, increased thirst and increased hunger. If left untreated, it leads to multiple complications. Medicinal plants are now the subject of extensive research aimed at confirming their traditional applications by identifying their true pharmacological effects. Centratherum punctatum Cass. of the Asteraceae family was evaluated for its phytochemical compounds, antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activity. From the various extracts of the study, the ethanol extract showed promising results with the presence of maximum phytochemicals. The amounts of the phytoconstituents alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, steroids and proteins found in the ethanolic extracts of C. punctatum Cass. were measured. Antioxidant activities were investigated by using 1, 1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, ABTS (2, 2΄ Azino bis (3-ethyl benzo-thizoline-6- sulfonic acid), hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, superoxide radical scavenging assay, nitric oxide radical scavenging assay and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, αamylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors are used to control hyperglycemia. The current study aims to screen α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors from natural sources, such as plants,to reduce the toxicity and side effects of inhibitors currently utilised to treat hyperglycemia. An in vitro hypoglycemic analysis and the plant extract’s effect on α-amylase and αglucosidase activity were conducted.