Abstract

EVALUATION OF PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS, ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTY, DNA DAMAGE INHIBITION ACTIVITY AND CYTOTOXICITY OF ASTER (CALLISTEPHUS CHINENSIS) FLOWER WASTE

Shruti A. Kakodkar*, Sneha N. Kshirsagar, Aparna S. Kelkar, Akhila M. Nair,
Pranjali P. Dhawal, Kshitij V. Satardekar, Siddhivinayak S. Barve

Abstract

Temple floral waste has become a major concern that is affecting the environment and living habitat due to its improper disposal and subsequent garnering of microorganisms. Considering this, the current study focused on evaluating potential therapeutic properties of aster (Callistephus chinensis) flower waste (AFW) that are often used as offerings in Indian temples and festivities. Ethanolic extract of AFW was investigated for its phytochemical constituents, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant property, DNA damage inhibition activity and cytotoxicity. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined colorimetrically using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and aluminum chloride respectively. Antioxidant activity was studied using DPPH assay and FRAP assay. AFW extract showed the presence of phytochemicals like flavonoids, phenols, cardiac glycosides and saponins. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were found to be 251.71±0.0029 mg gallic acid equivalent/g and 32.05mg quercetin equivalent/g respectively. The extract displayed IC50 value at 374.869µg/mL indicating strong antioxidant property. Also, reducing antioxidant potential of the extract increased with increase in extract concentration. DNA damage inhibition study showed that the extract could prevent hydroxyl radicals from causing DNA damage. Cytotoxicity study by MTT assay revealed no deleterious effect of the extract on mouse fibroblast cell line at low concentrations. In conclusion, AFW extract showed presence of important metabolites such as phenols and flavonoids, strong antioxidant property and ability to protect DNA from hydroxyl radical induced damage. These observations highlight promising therapeutic potential of AFW extract against disorders resulting due to free radical oxidative stress. Further examinations are warranted to explore and isolate active phytotherapeutic constituents.

Keywords: Aster flowers, phenols, flavonoids, DNA damage, Cytotoxicity.