Study on the Bioactive Constituents and in vitro Antioxidant and in vivo Anti-inflammatory Activities of Extracts from the Fruits of Ziziphus Jujuba Mill. cv. Jinsixiaozao Hort

Abstract

The aims of this study were to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of extracts from fruits of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. cv. jinsixiaozao Hort (ZJMH) and its active chemical constituents. For antioxidant activity, reducing power, DPPH and β-carotene bleaching inhibition assay were used. Ethyl acetate extract exhibited the strongest antioxidant potential in all the models. For anti-inflammatory activity, petroleum ether extract showed the strongest inhibition (32.86%) against carrageenan-induced paw edema, which also displayed potent anti-inflammatory activity against xylene-induced ear edema (41.52%). The contents of phenolic acids, flavonoids, triterpenes, anthocyanins, triterpenoid saponins of different extracts were also observed. Moreover, seven compounds were first isolated from petroleum ether extract and showed considerable anti-inflammatory activity, especially alphitolic acid and stigmasterol. The results showed that ZJMH can be a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.