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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Polyphenols contribute to the antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of Phyllanthus debilis plant in-vitro

Authors: Dananjaya Perera, Preethi Soysa, Sumedha Wijeratne

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Phyllanthus debilis (Elapitawakka) is a medicinal plant used in traditional systems of medicine in Sri Lanka. Present study was carried out to evaluate in-vitro anti-oxidant and anti-proliferative activity of the water extracts of aerial parts (AP) and roots (RP) of P.debilis plant and the role of polyphenolic compounds in view of its medicinal use.

Method

Total polyphenols, flavonoids and proanthocyanidin content of the extracts were quantified. DPPH, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide scavenging potentials and the total antioxidant capacity, ferric ion reducing power were determined to evaluate antioxidant capacity. Anti-proliferative activity was assessed with MTT assay for Human Rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) and normal rat liver cells (CC1) after 24 h exposure to the plant extracts. DPPH and MTT assays were carried out for AP and RP extracts after removal of polyphenols to assess the contribution of polyphenols on antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity of Phyllanthus debilis.

Results

Flavonoid content of the AP extract was significantly lower than that of RP (P < 0.001) while no significant difference was observed in polyphenolic as well as in proanthocyanidin contents. All the assays except for phosphomolybdate assay demonstrated that the RP extract had higher antioxidant capacity (p < 0.001) compared to AP. Further, antioxidant capacity and anti-proliferative activity were lower (p < 0.001) in AP and RP in the absence of polyphenols compared to the crude extract.

Conclusion

Root contains higher levels of flavonoids than the aerial part. Moreover, the presence of polyphenols is required for antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities of both AP and RP.
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Metadata
Title
Polyphenols contribute to the antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of Phyllanthus debilis plant in-vitro
Authors
Dananjaya Perera
Preethi Soysa
Sumedha Wijeratne
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1324-5

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