Bioactive compounds, antioxidant and antineoplastic activities of Asian herbs

Abstract

Background: Herbages are the most sophisticated medicinal factories on earth which produce phytochemicals that possess biological activities and are used for the cure of various diseases.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore anti-neoplastic activities and antioxidant potential of selected herbs along with their total phenolic content and phytochemical screening.
Methods: 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS+) methods were used to determine the antioxidant capacity. In vivo anti-neoplastic activities were determined by chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and crown gall tumor (potato disc) assay, respectively.
Results: The highest antioxidant activity in aqueous and methanol extracts was found in Centella asiatica and Spheranthus indicus, respectively. Results of anti-neoplastic activities were in accordance to their antioxidant activity. Phytochemical analysis showed that all herbs contained tannins, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids, flavonoids and reducing sugars.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that these herbs are potential natural sources of bioactive compounds and natural antioxidants hence these herbs might be used in prophylaxis and treatment of neoplasms.