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Caralluma flava is a perennial, succulent edible plant distributed in the hillsides of the United Arab Emirates. In order to validate its use in the traditional system as an edible and medicinal source, we evaluated the antioxidant and in vitro free-radical-scavenging properties of its ethanol extract. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated in vitro by 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS+), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), hydroxyl radical and nitric oxide radical scavenging assays. The antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymatic antioxidant contents (total reduced glutathione, and Vitamin E and Vitamin C) in the extracts were also determined. The total phenolics content of the plant extract was 10.14 mg/g and the flavonoid content was 4.13 mg/g. The results showed a positive linear correlation between these phytochemicals and the free-radical-scavenging activities. The C. flava extract exhibited significant radical-scavenging properties in the ABTS(+•), DPPH(•), hydroxyl radical and nitric oxide radical assays. The study revealed that C. flava could be considered an excellent source of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The results indicate that the plant extract has potent free-radical-scavenging activity and ability to prevent radical chain reactions. Based on the results obtained, C. flava seems to be a very promising species for further investigation in order to identify the compounds responsible for its biological activity.

Aerva javanica (Burm. f) Juss. ex Schult. (Family: Amaranthaceae) family is one of the traditional medicinal plant growing in the United Arab Emirates. Apart from studies related to some medicinal properties, phytochemical, GC MS compound characterization and biological activities still to be investigated. An experiment was conducted to determine the possible bioactive components with their chemical structures and elucidation of phytochemicals from the aerial parts of the plant. The macro and micro-mineral constituents and antioxidant activities were also evaluated. Aerial parts of A. javanica were extracted sequentially with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol by cold percolation method. Free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties of methanolic extract were evaluated by using in vitro antioxidant assays such as hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, superoxide radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical scavenging activity. Primary phytochemical and micro-macro element was tested using standard protocol. The chemical characterization was done with the help of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS), and the mass spectra of the total compounds in the extract were matched with the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) library. Mineral constituents were identified and estimated by ICP-OES. Ninety-nine metabolites were obtained by GC-MS anslysis; indole was found to be major components followed by 2-Chlorallyl diethyldithiocarbamate (CDEC), Carbaril, Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Quinoline, 4H-Cyclopenta[def]phenanthrene,2-[Bis(2-chloroethylamino)]-tetrahydro-2H-1,3,2-oxazaphosphorine-2-oxide, Phenobarbital, 1H-Indole, 2-methyl-, 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin Disulfide, diphenyl. The presence of various bioactive compounds in the extract validates the traditional medicinal uses of this plant.

Background Tephrosia apollinea is a leguminous plant and is native to southwest Asia, Arabia, northwestern India and northeast Africa. In traditional system, it is used for medicinal and coloring purpose. The present study aims to explore the phytochemical, proximate analysis, element contents and antioxidant potential of T. apollinea extract. Methods The phytochemical screening was done with qualitative methods. Proximate analysis and elemental composition were performed from powdered sample. In vitro antioxidant assays such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and reducing power-scavenging assays were used for evaluating the antioxidant properties. Results Qualitative screening of methanolic extract of T. apollinea showed the presence of alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides and saponins. The methanolic extract of T. apollinea exhibited a significant dose dependent inhibition of DPPH activity, with a 50% inhibition (IC50) at a concentration found to be 29.41 µg/ml, which was compared with standard GAE (IC50 = 31.09 μg/ml). The reducing power shows good linear relationship in both standard gallic acid (R2 = 0.956) and T. apollinea extract (0.984). Conclusions The results of our study clearly suggested that the methanolic extract of T. apollinea may serve as potential source of natural antioxidant for nutraceutical application.