In vitro antioxidant, anticholinesterase, tyrosinase activity studies, and LC-MS/MS simultaneous determination of 37 bioactive compounds in Indigofera heterantha

Abstract

The flowering plant Indigofera heterantha generally known as Indigo of Himalayan, was extracted with nhexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol by using Soxhlet apparatus. The extracts were studied for their antioxidants and enzyme inhibition activities. Against DPPH free radical-scavenging activity methanol extract was found moderately active (IC50: 158.41 +/- 1.1.66 mu g/mL). The ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts exhibited the best ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC50: 31.32 +/- 2.50 and 52.0 +/- 0.89 mu g/mL respectively). Against the metal chelating activity, n-hexane extract was active IC50: 52.36 +/- 0.95 mu g/mL. The n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts demonstrated the best b-carotene antioxidant activity (IC50: 22.32 +/- 0.84 and 60.66 +/- 0.35 mu g/mL respectively). Against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were moderate active (IC50: 133.58 +/- 0.870, and 137.97 +/- 0.97 mu g/mL respectively). The ethyl acetate extract showed Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 121.9 +/- 1.13 mu g/mL. Against tyrosinase activity, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts activity with an IC50 value of 79.25 +/- 0.15 and 131.48 +/- 0.88 mu g/mL respectively. The phenolic contents of the methanolic extract of I. heterantha were also determined by using LC-MS/MS. The major constituents were Quinic acid (57,333.04 mu g/g), malic acid (1135.16 mu g/g), gallic acid (201.13 mu g/g), isoquercitrin (113.63 mu g/g), Rutin (92.97 mu g/g), and Salicylic acid (40.45 mu g/g). Keeping in view the overall biological activities of I. heterantha, it might be used in food industries and pharmaceuticals as a potential functional food ingredient.