Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING BY FT-IR ANALYSIS OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT LEAVES OF MORINGA OLEIFERA AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ITS ANTI-OXIDANT AND ANTI-OBESITY ACTIVITIES

Lamia Mabrouki*, Ilhem Rjeibi, Jihen Taleb and Lazhar Zourgui

ABSTRACT

Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) is endowed with a wide array of biological and pharmacological agents valuable for human health. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition and evaluate, in vitro, the antioxidant and anti-obesity effects of the methanolic extract of M. oleifera leaves. M. oleifera leaves were extracted with methanol. The plant leaf extract was used to evaluate its pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity. Bioactive compounds were characterized via FT-IR analysis. The antioxidant activities were assessed through the DPPH and FRAP assays. The FT-IR spectra revealed several characteristic peak values with different functional groups. The most intense streatching peak was detected at 3414 cm−1, characteristic absorption of hydroxyl groups. Through the DPPH and the FRAP assays, the methanolic extract indicated significant antioxidant activities. The IC50 value of the methanolic leaf extract against pancreatic lipase was 63.25 μg/ml suggesting potent anti-obesity effect. The great effect that posses M.oleifera leaves to combat against oxidatif stress and obesity is in accordance with its richness in bioactive compounds.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Phenolic compounds, Antioxidant, Anti-obesity, FT-IR analysis.