Phytochemical screening and anti-inflammatory activities of different fractions from Citrullus lanatus leaves: A comprehensive study
Talabi, Olaoluwa T.1*, Adeyemi, Oluwasanmi Anuoluwapo2, Talabi, Joseph Moyinoluwa3, Adebari, Adeola Eyitemi4, Olusola Gisanrin5
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos
2Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo
3Department of Religious and Peace Studies, Lagos State University, Ojo
4,5Department of Biochemistry, Benjamin Carson Snr. College of Medicine, Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State
ABSTRACT
Inflammation, a protective immune response, can contribute to maintaining homeostasis but can also cause harm when chronic or excessive. Citrullus lanatus has been suggested to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that may aid in preventing and treating oxidative stress and inflammation. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of phytochemicals, as well as the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Citrullus lanatus leaves extract. The ethyl acetate, hexane, butanol fraction and aqueous methanol extract were subjected to various standard quantitative phytochemical analysis, while the hexane fraction and aqueous methanol extract were subjected to standard in vitro anti-inflammatory assays. Spectrophotometric and gravimetric methods were used in this study. The in vitro anti-denaturation (stabilization) assay was used for detecting a wide range of antioxidant compounds. The ethyl acetate fraction had the highest flavonoid and polyphenol levels, followed by hexane, butanol, and aqueous methanol extract, respectively. Quantitative phytochemical analysis showed the levels of flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, alkaloids and saponins present in the different fractions of C. lanatus. The human erythrocyte membrane stabilization assay showed that extracts were able to stabilize human red blood cell membrane against hypotonic-induced hemolysis in five different samples. The extract of Citrullus lanatus was found to have the highest antioxidant activity. This study has shown that the leaves of Citrullus lanatus can be used in ethnomedicine for the prevention and treatment of ailments caused by oxidative stress and inflammation-related diseases.
Keywords: anti-denaturation properties, Citrullus lanatus leaves, Bovine serum albumin, Erythrocyte stabilization assay, Antioxidant activity
Impact Statement
This study investigated the physiological effects of black, herbal, and green tea consumption in rats, revealing significant insights into potential health benefits. The research highlighted that all three tea varieties, particularly green tea, can positively impact lipid profiles and liver function. Notably, green tea exhibited the most significant improvement in lipid profiles and liver health among the tested teas. The findings underscore the potential of these teas in enhancing liver health and promoting weight reduction. This comparative analysis deepens our understanding of tea’s health benefits beyond the widely studied green tea, holding implications for managing conditions such as cardiovascular disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, with broad public health significance.
About Author/s
Olaoluwa T. Talabi, Ph.D.
Olaoluwa Temitope Talabi is a biochemistry enthusiast with a strong academic background and extensive experience in prestigious institutions. She holds a Doctorate Degree in Nutritional Biochemistry and currently works as a Senior Lecturer in the Biochemistry Department at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. In addition to her role as a lecturer, Olaoluwa is actively engaged in research as a Research associate at the Centre for Genomics of Non-communicable Diseases and Personalized Healthcare (CGNPH).
In addition to her academic and research roles, Olaoluwa actively participates in various professional societies, including the Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NSBMB), The South Africa Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SASBMB), and the American Society of Nutrition (ASN), among others. She is also dedicated to pursuing excellence.
Olaoluwa’s passion lies in pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge, particularly in the domains of nutrition, genomics, non-communicable diseases, and personalized healthcare. She frequently engages in conferences and workshops to enrich his knowledge in research methodologies, educational practices, and ethical publication standards. Olaoluwa aims to disseminate knowledge through his research papers and contribute to the scientific community.
With her wealth of academic expertise, publication track record, and commitment to the scientific community, Olaoluwa is well-prepared to continue making an impact in the fields of biochemistry and genomics.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0741-5770
Google Scholar ID: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=new_profile&hl=en
LinkedIn ID: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ola-adeyemi-0344a440/
Web of Science Researcher ID: HMD-4824-2023.
Joseph Moyinoluwa Talabi, Ph.D.,
Joseph Moyinoluwa TALABI holds a PhD in Philosophy of Religion from Lagos State University. He is a Lecturer in the Department of Religions and Peace Studies, Faculty of Arts, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, where he lectures and researches the social value of religions. His areas of interest include but are not limited to, Philosophy of Religion, Psychology, Politics, Theology, Health and Sociology of Religion (Religion and Social Institutions). He has convened a great deal of experience in his few years in academic learning, publishing in local and high-impact factor journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. Some of these articles are in Q1 and Q2 Journals. Such as; Taylor and Francis, Human Vaccine & Immunotherapeutic, Oxford University, Telematics and Informatics, Asian and African Studies, and Health Promotion International. Is a member of the Editorial Team; Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. He also reviews the Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work, Journal of Religion & Health (JORH), Journal of African Union Studies (JoAUS), World Journal of Education and Humanities, and Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences.
He is also a Priest in the Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos West, with over ten years’ experience in an Ordained Ministry.
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-3321-0835
Google Scholar ID: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=v_TiDm4AAAAJ&hl=en
E-mail Address: talabiso@gmail.com
moyinoluwa.talabi@lasu.edu.ng
LinkedIn ID: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-moyinoluwa-talabi-6657821b3
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