Phytochemical analysis of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb) Benth Bark via UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and evaluation of its biological activity.

The metabolites profile of Egyptian P. dulce bark was investigated using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis with subsequent analysis of its cytotoxicity, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities. Asides, in silico molecular docking study was performed for validation of cytotoxicity. P. dulce bark showed richness in polyphenolics and flavonoids, displaying 575.5 mg GAE/g extract (total phenolic content) and 310.82 mg CE/g extract (flavonoid content). A total of 29 compounds were tentatively identified. Proanthocyanidins and phenolic acids were the major classes observed. P. dulce bark possessed promising antioxidant and cytotoxic activities, however, it exhibited a weak antimicrobial activity. No antifungal activity was observed. In silico molecular docking revealed that daidzein compound achieved the best interaction energy score on the 5II2 of Gibbs free energy of -6.911 kcal/mol. This study revealed that P. dulce bark can be introduced as a potential source for valuable bioactive compounds that supporting its usage in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Profiling the Lipophilic Fractions of Pithecellobium dulce Bark and Leaves Using GC/MS and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities.

Pithecellobium dulce has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments owing to its restorative properties. The biological activities and chemical profiles of the lipophilic fraction of P. dulce bark and leaves were assessed herein. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and unsaponifiable matter (USM) were prepared and analyzed by GC/MS. A total of 40 compounds were identified in the bark saponifiable fraction, whereas 9 compounds were annotated in the leaves. Palmitic acid methyl ester was the major compound identified accounting for 41.48 % of the bark and 19.03 % of the leaves composition. Besides, linolenic acid methyl ester (22.40 %) and linoleic acid (12.69 %) were annotated in the leaves saponifiable fraction. A total of 63 compounds were detected in the bark USM and 4 compounds were identified in the leaves. Phytol represented the major component in the leaves (52.57 %) followed by lupeol (20.68 %) and lupenone (8.60 %). Meanwhile, n-dodecane dominated in the bark USM accounting for 24.69 % of the total composition. The leaves and bark lipophilic fractions revealed moderate antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Both extracts showed no antifungal activity. No cytotoxicity was observed for both lipophilic fractions. P. dulce offers a good source of antioxidant compounds that can be introduced to food and pharmaceutical industry.