Chemical profiling, in vitro biological activities and Pearson correlation between phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of Caragana brachyantha Rech.f

Abstract Caragana is one of the most important genera of the plant family Fabaceae, and is famous for conventional folklore medicines applications. Therefore, the present investigation was designed to explore therapeutical potentials of various extracts of Caragana brachyantha Rech.f (Hexane, Ethyl acetate, n-Butanol, Methanol, aqueous) through in-vitro biological screening. The UHPLC-MS analysis of the extracts disclosed phytochemical composition and total bioactive contents. Ethyl acetate extract (CBEA) offered the highest phenolic (48.49±1.23 mgGAE/g extract) and flavonoid (16.48±0.26 mgRE/g extract) contents and also exhibited significant antioxidant activities. The observed antioxidant potential was further supported by Pearson correlation studies, which depicted a positive relationship between total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC). Methanolic extract (CBM) exhibited the highest anti-α-glucosidase activity (2.02±0.02 mmolACAE/g extract) while CBEA was found more active (96.02±3.24 mgKAE/g extract) in tyrosinase inhibition assay. This investigation suggests potential uses of Caragana brachyantha in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products and thus offers a great industrial application.