# Chemical profiling and multidirectional biological effects of the aerial parts of two wild Commicarpus species; C. grandiflorus and C. plumbagineus

## TL;DR

This study explores the chemical makeup and health benefits of two wild Commicarpus plants, showing they have strong antioxidant and enzyme-inhibiting properties useful for treating chronic diseases.

## Contribution

The study provides a detailed chemical and biological evaluation of two under-researched Commicarpus species, revealing their potential for drug development.

## Key findings

- RW fractions of CP and CG showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid content and strong antioxidant activity.
- Both species exhibited significant inhibition of enzymes linked to chronic diseases like COX-1, COX-2, and α-glucosidase.
- A total of 42 compounds were identified, with flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, and fatty acids being the most prevalent.

## Abstract

Commicarpus grandiflorus (A.Rich.) Standl. (CG), and Commicarpus plumbagineus (Cav.) Standl. (CP) (Nyctaginaceae family) have long been utilized in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments, including urinary tract infections, dysmenorrhea, and blood coagulation disorders.

The chemical composition of the aerial parts of both plants, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined. The antioxidant effects of total methanolic extracts and fractions obtained thereof; methylene chloride (MC) and remaining water (RW) fractions, and their inhibitory potentialson COX-1, COX-2, LOX, ACh, BuCh, and α-glucosidase, were assessed.

The RW fractions of CP and CG exhibited the highest phenolic (57.19 ± 2.43–60.19 ± 1.5 µg GAE/mg) and flavonoid contents (44.32 ± 1.8-53.99 ± 1.8 µg QE/mg), respectively. Also, both fractions demonstrated remarkable antioxidant effects; ABTS+⋅ value of 24.85 ± 1.59 and 18.17 ± 1.06 µg/mL, FRAP values of 448.96 ± 37.49 and 773.88 ± 39.13 µMTE/mg, and ORAC values of 9858.06 ± 43.92 and 7666.59 ± 1066.85 µMTE/mg, respectively. Additionally, they exhibited the highest inhibitory against COX-1 (IC50 of 1.83 ± 0.05 and 1.86 ± 0.05 µg/mL), COX-2 (0.6 ± 0.1 and 0.69 ± 0.01 µg/mL), LOX (3 ± 0.1 and 2.9 ± 0.1 µg/mL), AChE (11.54 ± 1.34 and 10.52 ± 0.45 µg/mL), BChE (18.63 ± 1.01 and 16.09 ± 0.54 µg/mL), and α-glucosidase (86.85 ± 6.66 and 46.69 ± 1.22 µg/mL) enzymes, respectively. A comprehensive analysis identified a total of 42 compounds in both samples, with flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, and fatty acids as the predominant classes.

Both samples showed enzyme inhibitory potential against key enzymes linked to chronic diseases. The findings highlight the significant potential of both CG and CP, warranting further research for drug development and biomedicines.