Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Gymnosperms hold significant economic and ethnomedicinal importance with diverse bioactivities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Ephedra gerardiana is traditionally used as an antidiabetic remedy. This study aimed to estimate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity, and antidiabetic potential of E. gerardiana. Methods: The plant’s stem powder was extracted in methanol and fractionated using hexane, dichloromethane, and aqueous. The extracts’ total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu’s reagent and aluminium chloride method, respectively. The antioxidant and antidiabetic potential were assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and α-glucosidase inhibition assays. The toxicity of the fraction was evaluated in brine shrimp larvae. Results: The aqueous fraction contained a high phenolic content of 123.27 µg GAE (gallic acid equivalent), while the dichloromethane fraction had a high flavonoid content of 35.43 µg QE (quercetin equivalent). The aqueous fraction exhibited high antioxidant activity by scavenging DPPH with a half inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 25.04 ± 1.57 µg/mL. Additionally, it showed strong antidiabetic activity by inhibiting α-glucosidase with an IC50 value of 4.33 ± 0.11 µg/mL. It was non-toxic to the brine shrimp nauplii. Conclusion: Ephedra gerardiana aqueous extract is rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds and possesses strong antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. Thus, this plant might be used to prepare antidiabetic drugs after complementary trials.
Source: Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology
Authors: Kalpana Dulal, Sapana Ojha-Khatri, Hem Raj Paudel, Mukti Ram Paudel
Institution: Tribhuvan University
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $200
Funder: Tribhuvan University
OpenAlex ID: W4415146279