Antioxidant Activity of The Terpenoid – Phenol Extract of Crescentia Cujete, Family Bignoniaceae

AUTHOR(S)

Ms. Mary Anne V. Gutierrez, RPh, MSPh, PhD (with academic units)

ABSTRACT

This study focused on the investigation of the antioxidant activity of the terpenoid – phenol extract from the pulp of Crescentia cujete, a new plant in the Philippines which has not been extensively studied for its phytochemical and pharmacological properties. Cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in several diseases, and hence natural antioxidants have significant importance in human health. One of the major sources of antioxidants are plants and among the different constituents with antioxidant property includes terpenoids and polyphenols. These substances are widely distributed in many families of plants including the plants belonging to the Bignoniaceae family. Crescentia cujete is one of the plants belonging to this family. This plant has not well been investigated in the past though have been used in many countries as treatment for many diseases. Thus, this study will try to scientifically prove claims that the plant has a good antioxidant activity. The study focused on the phytochemical screening of the pulp of Crescentia cujete. It also dealt with the extraction of the terpenoid – phenol components through successive solvent extraction and the determination of the physico-chemical and instrumental properties of the terpenoid-phenol extract. Anti-oxidant activity was determined by total phenolic and radical scavenging assay using three radicals DPPH and nitric oxide. The anti-oxidant activity of the extract was compared with standard ascorbic acid. After conducting the different tests, the following findings were obtained: (a) The Phytochemical screening carried out on the Chloroform extract of Crescentia cujete showed the presence of secondary metabolite reducing sugars flavonoids, Anthocyanins, glycosides, phenols, terpenes and triterpenoids (b) Terpenoid – Phenol extract of Crescentia cujete revealed the presence of reducing sugar, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, terpenes and triterpenes. The Terpenoid – Phenol extract is soluble in organic solvents like chloroform. Infrared bond identified in the extract are mainly phenolics and terpenes. (c) The antioxidant activity of the terpenoid – phenol extract of Crescentia cujete was investigated using DPPH and nitric oxide scavenging assays. Both methods have proven the effectiveness of the terpenoid – phenol extract of Crescentia cujete as antioxidant. (d) The difference in the DPPH and Nitric Oxide radical scavenging activity of Crescentia cujete Terpenoid – Phenol extract and standard ascorbic acid is statistically significant. This research demonstrated that the Terpenoid – Phenol extract of Crescentia cujete possesses an important antioxidant effect.