FT-IR analysis of O. baccatus extract
The FT-IR analysis of the water-methanol extract derived from
O.
baccatus flowers and branches revealed the presence of 12 distinct compounds (Fig 2 and Table 1). The analysis revealed various characteristic peaks, each uniquely attributed to the presence of specific functional groups or phytochemical compounds. An analysis using FTIR spectrometry revealed principal bands ranging from 619 to 3409.48 cm-¹. The stretching and bending vibrations of N-H, C-H, CΞC, C=C, O-H, C-O, C-F and C-Br were observed across various bands, indicative of a diverse array of compound functionalities. A number of these are primary amines, alkanes, amine salts, alcohols, secondary alcohols, fluoro compounds, alkenes with methyl groups, monosubstituted alkynes and alkenes, halo compounds and alkanes with methyl groups (
Jacox, 2003;
Powell et al., 1966).
GC-MS Analysis of O. baccatus extract
The GC-MS analysis of the aqueous methanol extract derived from
O.
baccatus flowers and branches identified around 11 key biologically active compounds (Table 2, Fig 3). 1-(2-piperidinyl)-2-propanone (18.33%), 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4h-pyran-4-one (9.64%), pyrrolidin-1-propionic acid (1.69%), 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (6.25%), octanal (0.94%), stevioside (4.34%), methyl 6-deoxy-alpha.-l-galactopyranoside (8.92%), tert-butyl acetoacetate (3.38%), l-gala-l-ido-octose (2.75%), hexadecanoic acid (7.26%) and (2r,3r)-2,3-epoxyoctadec-4-yn-1-ol (36.5%) were identified as the phytocompounds present in significant quantities, while other compounds were detected in lesser amounts.
These results are similar to previous studies, but some compound concentrations differ, possibly due to plant environment. Phytochemical screening of the plant exhibited the presence of alkaloids, coumarins, saponins, fatty acids and steroidal compounds. The isolated phytoconstituents include Quercetin 3-O-p-coumaryl(1→6)-β-glucosyl(1→6) -β-glucoside-7O-α rhamnoside, Quercetin 3-O-β-glucosyl(1→2)-α-rhamnoside-7-O-α-rhamnoside, Quercetin 3-gentiobioside, Isoquercitrin, Quercitrin, Kaempferol glycosides, Rutin, Luteolin, Afzelin, Astragalin and phenols and fatty acids (
Batanouny, 1981;
Sarg et al., 1994a). It has high concentrations of glucosinolates also
(Barakat et al., 1991; Sarg et al., 1994b). The LC-MS analysis of the methanolic extracts from the plant’s roots and branches was then conducted, resulting in the identification of 8 and 13 major chemical constituents, respectively
(Khojali et al., 2023).
Antioxidant activity in vitro
The radical scavenging activity of the aqueous methanol extract from the flowers and branches of
O.
baccatus was assessed using the ABTS scavenging assay. The extract was able to get rid of radicals, with an IC
50 value of 147.032 μg/mL and inhibition rates ranging from 93.655% to 17.255% at 500 to 15.625 μg/mL. The ABTS scavenging assay showed statistically significant changes with the different concentrations of
O.
baccatus extract used (Table 3). This study discovered that the extract was more effective at stopping free radicals at the highest levels tested. The extract showed strong ABTS free radical scavenging activity and inhibition. These data indicate that
O.
baccatus functions as a natural antioxidant source.
These results are similar to previous studies with the difference in the inhibition rate, which may be due to the difference in the concentration of some active chemical compounds. Several studies have documented the ABTS scavenging activity of various sections of
O.
baccatus. The essential oils from the examined
O.
arabicus samples (flowers, leaves and stems) exhibited free-radical scavenging properties. The flowers demonstrated the highest efficacy, with an IC
50 of 106.40 ± 0.19 µg/mL, followed by the leaves and stems, which had IC50 values of 143.80 ± 0.22 µg/mL and 159.60 ± 0.32 µg/mL, respectively.
(Ullah et al., 2022). The plant extract has already been reported for its antioxidant impact, as stated by
Al-Omar et al., (2020). The chemical components in a plant are responsible for addressing various ailments, including antioxidant potential
(Sathiyamoorthy et al., 1999). Hassan et al., (2019) have shown that various factors such as edaphic, climatic and topographic factors influence the contents of plants. The quantity of the active ingredients may be affected due to the quality of water, as shown by
Lv et al., (2021). Since the current study used different parts and expression units, it is difficult to directly compare the data with those reported in the literature.
In vitro antiparasitic activity of O. baccatus against E. intestinalis
The
in vitro assessment of the efficacy of the extract against
E.
intestinalis showed that concentrations of 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/mL resulted in inhibition rates of 78%, 83%, 96%, 98% and 100%, respectively, during a 72-hour period. The results of antiparasitic efficacy demonstrated variability in sporulation and inhibition at various doses during an incubation time of up to 72 hours, with oocyst test results recorded every 12 hours. The results indicated the greatest inhibition of oocysts at concentrations of 50 mg/mL, 25 mg/mL and the reference drug, in contrast to lower concentrations where the inhibition rate diminished. Additionally, the inhibition increased with prolonged exposure time (Tables 4 to 9).
@tabe5
To our knowledge, no prior studies have elucidated the potential role of aqueous methanol extracts from
O.
baccatus in
E.
intestinalis. Consequently, this study was essential in elucidating this role. Studies indicate that
O.
baccatus is rich in various active compounds, with the methanolic extract derived from its branches demonstrating inhibitory effects on bacterial growth at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 250 µg/mL, 15.6 µg/mL, 20 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL, respectively
(Khojali et al., 2023). Previous studies have also reported similar results
(Kaithwas et al., 2011; Khan et al., 2019). Because of its extraordinarily high glucosinolate content, this plant’s nematicidal action against the root-knot worm
Meloidogyne javanica was assessed. 100% of second-stage juveniles were immobilized in
in vitro tests using plant aqueous extracts after 48 hours of exposure to 4% root-core extract; 8% root-core extract inhibited their hatching by 87%, whereas stem, flower and root bark showed reduced activity
(Oka et al., 2014). Strong growth suppression (over 96%) of the malaria parasite
Plasmodium falciparum was shown by
O.
baccatus (Sathiyamoorthy et al., 1999). The ethanolic extract of the plant has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-free radical activities. Also shown to fight parasites and helminths
(Alqasoumi et al., 2012).
