Euphorbia denticulata Lam.: A promising source of phyto-pharmaceuticals for the development of novel functional formulations

Biomed Pharmacother. 2017 Mar:87:27-36. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.12.063. Epub 2016 Dec 29.

Abstract

In this study, Methanolic extracts of Euphorbia denticulata parts (flowers, leaf, stem, and mix of aerial parts) were assessed for a panoply of bioactivities. Inhibitory potential against key enzymes involved in diabetes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase), obesity (pancreatic lipase), neurodegenerative diseases (cholinesterases), and hyperpigmentation (tyrosinase) was evaluated. The antioxidant and antibacterial properties were also assessed. The total phenolic, flavonoid, and phytochemical profile were established using HPLC/DAD and molecular modelling studies on specific target compounds were performed in silico. The flower extract was found to be rich in phenolics and flavonoids, (60.11±1.40mgGAE/g and 42.04±0.16mgRE/g respectively), which tend to correlate with the high radical scavenging activity of this extract (120.34±3.33mgTE/g and 165.42±2.16mgTE/g for DPPH and ABTS respectively). Catechin, epicatechin, gallic acid, p-OH-Benzoic acid, rosmarinic acid, and epigallocatechin gallate, found in significant abundance in the extracts were assessed using molecular modelling with the aim to study their docking properties on a set of six enzymes used in this study. The extracts were moderately effective with MIC values ranging between 1.56 to 6.25mg/ml, but potent growth inhibitors of MRSA strains. Results amassed herein can be used as a stimulus for further studies geared towards the development of novel phyto-pharmaceuticals.

Keywords: Diabetes; Euphorbia denticulata; Molecular docking; Phyto-pharmaceuticals; Polyphenols.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / isolation & purification
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Drug Compounding
  • Euphorbia*
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Flavonoids / isolation & purification*
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / physiology
  • Molecular Docking Simulation / methods
  • Phenols / chemistry
  • Phenols / isolation & purification*
  • Phenols / pharmacology
  • Phytochemicals / chemistry
  • Phytochemicals / isolation & purification*
  • Phytochemicals / pharmacology
  • Plant Components, Aerial
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Flavonoids
  • Phenols
  • Phytochemicals
  • Plant Extracts