Evaluation of antioxidant and anti-lipase activities of Centrosema pubescens Benth aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts

Abstract

There is a correlation between obesity and oxidative stress, which is characterized by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the free radical scavengers in the body. This imbalance arises as a result of fat accumulation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the bioactive components, free radical scavenging activity in vitro, and anti-lipase activity of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Centrosema pubescens Benth. Both the aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts produced a yield of 15.79% and 8.03% respectively, after being air-dried, blended to powder, extracted with solvent and dried to paste using a water bath. Both extracts contained bioactive substances such as proteins, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, and alkaloids. The ethanol extract had higher amounts of these compounds than the water extract did. The extract samples displayed modest in-vitro scavenging capabilities for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) radicals, as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity compared to the standard compound, ascorbic acid. Furthermore, the ethanol extract displayed a more pronounced inhibitory influence on pancreatic lipase, a key enzyme in lipid digestion, suggesting its potential in obesity control through the lowering of fat absorption. The research underlines the importance of solvent selection in maximizing the extraction of bioactive components and boosting the therapeutic effectiveness of herbal remedies.