Phytochemical Characterization and Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Different Parts of Prinsepia utilis Royle

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the phenolic composition and antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of the flowers, leaves, and stems of Prinsepia utilis Royle. In the work, their total phenol content and flavonoid content were determined. In addition, the scavenging effects of DPPH and ABTS free radicals and ferric reducing antioxidant power were measured. The results showed the flowers had the highest total phenol and flavonoid content, followed by the leaves and stems. A total of 11 phenolic substances were identified and quantified using UHPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS, of which rutin was the dominant phenolic compound in all samples. All three samples had good antioxidant activity and dose dependently inhibited the activity of α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, and tyrosinase. In summary, the ethanol extracts of the flowers have the best antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory ability among three samples. The outcome could provide support for the development and utilization of P. utilis.