Phytochemcial analysis and biological activities of methanolic extract of Redfruit creeper, Corallocarpus epigaeus

Abstract Corallocarpus epigaeus is a rare tuberous medicinal creeper belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family that is native to India, Pakistan, and some parts of Africa. It has rich sources of medicinal properties and has been reported to have been widely used in Indian traditional medicine (Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani) for centuries. As there has been scanty research on the phytochemical characterization and a biological activity of Redfruit creeper, the present study aimed to conduct phytochemical screening and evaluate the anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanolic extract of leaves in Corallocarpus epigaeus. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, coumarin and terpenoids in leaves extract. Twenty major chemical constituents were identified in the methanolic extract, among which the peak height concentrations of (i) 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis (2-methylpropyl) ester, (ii) phytol, (iii) hexadecanoic acid and (iv) squalene were greatly high compared to the other compounds, all of which reportedly possess biological activity. Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus marisflavi were significantly inhibited by methanolic leaves extract of Corallocarpus epigaeus, with inhibition zones of 22±0.1 and 23.01±0.1 mm, respectively. The methanolic leaf extracts showed promising anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in a concentration-dependent manner. The DPPH and H2O2 assays showed higher antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 149 and 150 mg/L, respectively than the control. According to heat induced, hypotonicity induced, and egg albumin denaturation assays revealed significant anti-inflammatory activity with respective percentage inhibitory values of 51.9±18.1, 36.11±2.79 and 97.09±0.19. Based on the phytochemical screening, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, we conclude that the methanolic leaves extract of Redfruit creeper contains an abundance of bioactive compounds could serve as a potential source of natural anti-bacterial, anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. A further study will be required to identify the novel bioactive compounds in Redfruit creeper that may be more effective in different biological processes.