Evaluation and comparison of polyphenols and bioactivities of wild edible fruits of North-West Himalaya, India

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate and compare the polyphenol contents, antioxidant, anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, anti-tyrosinase and anti-inflammatory activities of 13 wild edible fruits [Pyracantha crenulata, Berberis asiatica (B. asiatica), Ficus subincisa (F. subincisa), Morus serrata, Ziziphus nummularia, Leea asiatica (L. asiatica), Dendrobenthamia capitata, Ziziphus mauritiana, Prunus cerasoides, Ampelocissus latifolia (A. latifolia), Vitis jacquemontii, Morus alba and Grewia optiva] of North-West Himalayan Region of India.MethodsFruits extracts were prepared with 80% aqueous acetone and evaluated for total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC). Free radical scavenging activities [against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), linoleate hydroperoxyl and superoxide radicals], ferric reducing ability, ferrous metal chelating capacity, anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, anti-tyrosinase and anti-inflammatory activities were determined by using various in vitro assays.ResultsTPC varied from 58.83 to 4 496.39 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g fruit weight (FW), being highest in A. latifolia and lowest in F. subincisa. TFC ranged from 108.00 to 1 963.75 mg catechin equivalents/100 g FW, standing highest in L. asiatica and lowest in Prunus cerasoides. A. latifolia and L. asiatica possessed the highest antioxidant activities while B. asiatica and L. asiatica owned uppermost anti-elastase and anti-collagenase activities, respectively. B. asiatica revealed the highest anti-tyrosinase activity and F. subincisa demonstrated the highest anti-inflammatory activity. The present study revealed differential contribution of TPC and TFC in various antioxidant activities. However, no obvious relationship was visible between anti-elastase/anti-collagenase/anti-tyrosinase/anti-inflammatory activities and TPC/TFC, suggesting the role of individual or combination of specific phenolics and flavonoids.ConclusionsThe abilities of Himalayan wild edible fruits to scavenge a variety of free radicals, inhibit enzymes causing skin-aging and skin-darkening are highly appreciable, suggesting their possible utilization for the development of effective formulations for general health maintenance and anti-aging, skin-whitening cosmetics.