Antioxidant and HPTLC profile of the leaf and fruit extracts of <i>Lagenaria siceraria</i>

Abstract

Lagenaria siceraria Standl. (Cucurbitaceae) is a widely used medicinal plant in Africa. It is used for both medicinal and nutritional purposes. The health promoting ability of the fruits and leaves of this species might be related to the antioxidant properties of its constituents. The antioxidant effect of the leaves and fruits of L. siceraria was evaluated by comparing the DPPH radical scavenging and reducing capacity of the methanol leaf extract with ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts of fresh fruits. The comparison was further emphasized by HPTLC analysis where the chemical profiles of each extract was established. Results indicated that, at 0.1 mg/ml, ethyl acetate extract of the fresh fruits has higher DPPH radical scavenging effect, of up to 81.6% compared to 77.4% and 72% for methanol and n-butanol extracts respectively. The order of activity was; Bt fresh fruit < MeOH leaves < EA fresh fruits < Gallic acid. In the reducing capacity assay, the
absorbencies of extracts increased with an increase in concentration. The n-butanol fresh fruit extract had higher reducing power than other screened extracts. At the maximum concentration of 0.1 mg/ml, the trend of
activity was; Gallic acid < MeOH leaves < EA fresh fruits < Bt fresh fruits. The HPTLC analysis revealed significant differences in the chemical profiles of extracts. The disparity confirmed the variation in the antioxidant properties within the extracts of the fresh fruits and between leaves and fruits extract of L. siceraria.