PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTI-OBESITY POTENTIAL OF VARIOUS EXTRACTS FROM DIOSPYROS MALABARICA WHOLE FRUIT

Background: The Diospyros malabarica plant is a commonly growing plant in various regions of Pakistan. It has important biological compounds possessing unique biological activities. However, the role of these compounds is not reported in managing obesity. Objective: The purpose of the presented work is to evaluate the effect of solvents of varying polarities on the extraction yields of total polyphenol contents and total flavonoid contents and the anti-obesity potential of various extracts from the fruit and peel of Diospyros malabarica. Methodology: Four solvents—methanol, methyl acetate, acetone, and petroleum ether—were selected for extraction optimization. Extracts of both fruit and peel of Diospyros malabarica were prepared using these solvents and analyzed for phytochemical content and biological activities. Results: Methanol extracts of both fruit and peel exhibited the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), with values of 115.05 ± 1.22 mg/g and 105.12 ± 0.34 mg/g, respectively. Phytochemical screening indicated that the methanol extracts were rich in bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, steroids, coumarins, quinones, and saponins. Antioxidant activity assessed via the DPPH scavenging assay revealed that the methanol peel extract showed the strongest activity, with the lowest IC₅₀ value of 35.45 ± 1.23 µg/mL. Similarly, the methanol extract demonstrated the highest anti-obesity potential, exhibiting the strongest pancreatic lipase inhibition with an IC₅₀ value of 38.45 ± 1.04 µg/mL. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of key polyphenols and flavonoids responsible for these pharmacological activities in the methanol peel extract. Conclusion: These findings support the potential use of Diospyros malabarica fruit—particularly its methanol extract—as a promising natural candidate for managing obesity due to its rich phytochemical composition and significant antioxidant and lipase inhibitory activities.