Comparative Evaluation of Phytochemicals,and Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Activities of Cuscuta reflexa Grown on Different Hosts in Northern Thailand

Abstract

For the first time, total phytochemical profiles of methanol crude extracts of Cuscuta reflexa grown on three different hosts, Coccinia grandis, Ficus racemosa and Samanea saman, that were cultivated in northern Thailand were examined, along with their antidiabetic and antioxidant activities. The highest level of total flavonoids (114.4 mg QE/ g extract) and total phenolic content (90.8 mg GAE/ g extract) were observed in the extract of Cu. reflexa that was grown on Co. grandis. The GC-MS results showed that various types of phenolic compounds, hydrocarbons, saturated fatty acids and methyl ester of fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids and methyl ester of fatty acids, vitamin E, terpenes and sterol contained in the extracts of Cu. reflexa were capable of being grown on three hosts. Moreover, the HPLC results showed the presence of gallic acid, catechin, vanillic acid, rutin and quercetin in all Cu. reflexa samples. The extract of Cu. reflexa that was grown on Co. grandis represented the highest antidiabetic activity with a percent inhibition of 51.2. Moreover, the extract also possessed the greatest antioxidant activity (DPPH; IC₅₀ 168.6 μg/mL, FRAP; 40.5 mg GAE/ g extract).