Potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials of Punica granatum leaf and flower hydromethanolic extracts in vitro

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 anti-inflammatory 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.