Preliminary Phytochemical Profile, in vitro Antioxidant and Sun Protective Activities of Alhagi pseudalhagi and Elaeagnus angustifolia L.

Background and Objectives: Alhagi pseudalhagi and Elaeagnus angustifolia are among the medicinal plants used traditionally in Afghanistan. The aim of present work was to study A. pseudalhagi herbs and E. angustifolia leaves for their preliminary phytochemical profile, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), in vitro antioxidant activity and sun protective factor (SPF).

Methods: Alhagi pseudalhagi herb crude extract (APCE) and E. angustifolia leaves crude extract (EACE) were prepared using Soxhlet apparatus. Standard qualitative phytochemical tests were performed to detect various phytochemicals in the crude drugs. Both of APCE and EACE were purified as per previously described method to obtain A. pseudalhagi herb purified extract (APPE) and E. angustifolia leaves purified extract (EAPE). The TPC, TFC, and SPF of the extracts were determined, Following prescribed methods. To evaluate in vitro antioxidative potential of the extracts, DPPH radical scavenging assay method was performed. The experiments were performed in three replications.

Results: Carbohydrates, phenolics, flavonoids, sterols, tannins, and saponins were present in all tested extracts. The TPC of tested extracts ranged from 71.14 ± 2.10 to 203.76±2.07 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) / g dried extract, as recorded for APCE and EAPE, respectively. TFC values of 33.24±3.23 and 135.85 ±3.83 mg rutin equivalent (RUE) / g dried extract were found for EACE and EAPE, respectively. TFC values of 59.61±3.40 and 121.06±3.37 were recorded for APCE and APPE, respectively. DPPH radicals scavenging capacity and SPF of the tested extracts were positively correlated with their TPC and TFC. The EAPE and APPE produced IC50 value of 4.5 and 14.31, respectively. The higher SPF of 29.73 ± 0.31 was produced by EAPE, while APPE exhibited SPF of 17.83 ± 0.88, as calculated for 2mg/ml methanol solution of the extracts.

Conclusion: Based on present study, EAPE revealed higher TPC and TFC values and hence, showed potent in vitro antioxidant potential and higher SPF value, as compared with A. pseudalhagi herb extracts. Therefore, EAPE could be highly recommended to be used in development of herbal sunscreen formulations.