Determination of Phenolics, Antioxidant Activity and Antidiabetic Potential of Sphagneticola calendulacea (L.) Pruski Leaves Grown in Vietnam

Abstract

Sphagneticola calendulacea (L.) Pruski, also known as Wedelia calendulacea or Wedelia chinensis, is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae family. It is found growing in India, Sri Lanka, China and many Southeast Asian countries. 1 The plant has been traditionally used in various systems of medicine, such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani, for the treatment of a variety of ailments, such as fever, jaundice, hepatitis, and other liver disorders. 2 Decoction prepared from the plant is often used to treat menorrhagia and skin diseases. 3 Additionally, leaves of S. calendulacea are sometimes used for promoting hair growth, preventing hair fall, and treating scalp infections. 4 Studies have shown that S. calendulacea possesses a wide range of potential health endorsing properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic, wound healing, and antiproliferative activities. 3,[5][6][7][8][9] For example, treatments with methanol extract of S. calendulacea leaves significantly reduced blood glucose level and exerted an ameliorative effect on triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, and high density lipoprotein in diabetic mice. 8 Additionally, the treatments considerably reduced the activity of serum alanine aminotransferase and serum aspartate aminotransferase, as well as C reactive protein levels in the serum of diabetic mice in comparison with untreated diabetic mice. Extracts of the plant were shown to stimulate apoptosis in GBM8401 cells and autophagy in U-87MG cells. 9