Phytochemical Constituents, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Potentials of Dechlorophyllized Extract of Kenikir Leaves (Cosmos caudatus Kunth)

Abstract

Phytochemicals are a group of natural compounds or secondary metabolites derived from plants. These secondary metabolites exert various pharmacological effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Several studies have shown that Cosmos caudatus Kunth contains phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. Various pharmacological effects, including antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiosteoporosis, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic properties of this plant have been investigated. This study aimed to determine the total phenolic, flavonoid, tannin, and saponins contents, as well as evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the dechlorophyllized extract of Cosmos caudatus Kunth leaves. The crude and dechlorophyllized extracts of Cosmos caudatus Kunth leaves were obtained by maceration in ethanol, and liquid-liquid extraction of the crude ethanol extract, respectively. The total phenolic, flavonoid, tannin, and saponins contents of the dechlorophyllized extract were determined following standard methods. The antioxidant activity was determined using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the protein denaturation inhibition assay. The results showed that the total phenolic, flavonoid, tannin, and saponins contents of the dechlorophyllized extract of Cosmos caudatus Kunth leaves were 52.537 mgGAE/g, 47.215 mgQE/g, 47.263 mgTAE/g, and 188.177 mgSE/g extract, respectively. The dechlorophyllized extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity with FRAP value of 14.028 mg/LQE, and IC50 of 17.77 ppm in the DPPH radical scavenging activity. The dechlorophyllized extract also exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 value of 113.400 ppm. These findings revealed Cosmos caudatus Kunth leaves as a potential source of antioxidant and antiinflammatory agents.