Phenolic profiling and therapeutic potential of local flora of Azad Kashmir; In vitro enzyme inhibition and antioxidant

The current study supports the phytochemical screening, evaluation of antioxidant and enzyme inhibition potential and correlations between antioxidant activities and phenolics of Rumex dentatus (Family: Polygonaceae), Mentha spicata (Family: Lamiaceae), Withania somnifera (Family: Solanaceae), Nerium indicum (Family: Apocynaceae) and Artemisia scoparia (Family: Asteraceae). The herbal materials were extracted in ethanol (90%) and partitioned between several solvents based on polarities. Total phenols were determined with FC method and ranged 21.33 +/- 1.53 - 355.67 +/- 6.03 mg GAE/mg of the extract. Antioxidant activities (DPPH, total iron reducing capacity, phosphomolybdate assay & FRAP) and enzyme inhibition potential (Protease, AChE & BChE) were performed by the standard protocols. The results showed that all extracts exhibited significant DPPH activity ranging from 12.67 +/- 2.08 - 92.67 +/- 1.53%. The extracts that were active in DPPH activity also potrayed marvelous FRAP, total iron reducing and phosphomolybdate values. Correlation studies of antioxidant activities and the content of phenolic compounds in plant materials exhibited positive correlation between them. The outcome of enzyme inhibition activity exhibited that about 80% of the fractions under surveillance plants intimated more than 50% inhibition. Isolation of bioactive compounds from these plants is in progress.