Chemical constituents, antioxidant and cytotoxicity properties of Leonotis leonurus used in the folklore management of neurological disorders in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

In the present study, we evaluated the phytochemical compounds and antioxidant properties of chloroform, ethanol and acetone extracts for leaves and flowers of Leonutus leonurus (L. leonurus) alongside with their cytotoxic effects on human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines. The phytochemical compounds present in the leaves and flowers of L. leonurus included; phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloids. Their radicals scavenging effects against 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) [ABTS• + ], hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide as well as metal chelating activities showed dose-dependent activities. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) analyses revealed the presence of important bioactive compounds, which are associated with antioxidant; and the extracts exhibited toxicity effect against HeLa cells. The findings from this study divulge extracts of L. leonurus as prospective sources of antioxidant and anticancer agents; and hence, further study on their neuroprotective potentials becomes imperative.

Evaluation of bioactive compounds, free radical scavenging and anticancer activities of bulb extracts of Boophone disticha from Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

“…In this study, the appearance of yellow and brown turbidity in all the crude extracts qualitatively confirmed the presence of alkaloids, and our results agree with the report of Tonisi et al (2020) . In the same vein, the findings of Sasikala and Sundaraganapathy (2017) also corroborate with our study findings where alkaloids were observed to be part of the constituents of hydroalcoholic extract of Ipomoea aquatic by the appearance of a yellow and reddish precipitate.…”

“…The bioactive compounds in the crudes extracts were identified with GCMS analysis as described by Tonisi et al (2020) and MassHunter software for use for the data analysis.…”

Protective effect of Acampe praemorsa (Roxb.) Blatt. & McCann against oxidative stress

“…In the current study, the phytochemical analysis of A. praemorsa extracts showed presence of bioactive molecules in them such as alkaloids, phenols, steroids etc. There were earlier reports on different medicinal plants containing alkaloids (49,50) and phenols (51) with antioxidant potentiality and the results of present study confirms that A. praemorsa extracts had reduction of free radicals' generation and controlling of oxidative enzymes in the body. Among two extracts, hydroalcoholic extracts have more phenolic and alkaloid contents as well as it had showed more potentiality against free radicals and enzyme controlling.…”

Chemical Composition Analysis, Cytotoxic, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Physalis angulata L.: A Comparative Study of Leaves and Fruit

“…Diet, rich in flavonoids, can prevent cancer, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases [ 18 , 26 ]. Many studies show that women with higher levels of flavonoid intake through diet will have a lower risk of developing breast cancer [ 27 ]. Many studies have proved that the flavonoids and phenolic content in the plant material play an important role against oxidative stress [ 26 ].…”