Biochemical Characterization and Anti-hyperglycemic Potential of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

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Date
2017
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SKUAST Kashmir
Abstract
Investigations on “Biochemical characterization and anti-hyperglycemic potential of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)” were carried out during 2015-2016 in the Biochemistry laboratory, Division of Post Harvest Technology, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar. Wild Taraxacum officinale collected from the fields of SKUAST-K, Shalimar was used in this study for investigation. Proximate composition including moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, carbohydrates and ash, of both fresh and shade-dried Taraxacum officinale leaves was evaluated. The results related to proximate composition revealed that ash content (12.28±0.012%), carbohydrate (58.69±0.678%), crude protein (16.01±0.025%), crude fat (4.29±0.017%) and crude fiber (8.72±0.023%) of shade-dried Taraxacum officinale leaves were significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of fresh Taraxacum officinale leaves. Total sugars (9.08±0.035%), reducing sugars (2.60±0.017%) and non-reducing sugars (6.50±0.024%) of shade-dried Taraxacum officinale were also found to be significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of fresh T. officinale. It was further contented from the results that shade-dried T. officinale leaves exhibited significantly (p<0.01) higher iron (3.08±0.021 mg/100g), potassium (405.75±0.025 mg/100g), calcium (204.68±0.035 mg/100g) and magnesium (45.76±0.038 mg/100g) contents than fresh Taraxacum officinale leaves. Comparative analysis of bioactive constituents of shade-dried Taraxacum officinale leaves demonstrated significantly (p<0.01) higher total phenols (5883.12±4.222 mg/100g) and total flavonoids (188.84±0.019 mg/100g) than fresh Taraxacum officinale leaves, that showed only 1707±3.819 mg/100g and 179.44±0.012 mg/100g total phenols and total flavonoids, respectively. However, β-carotene and ascorbic acid content of shade- dried Taraxacum officinale leaves was found to be significantly (p<0.01) lesser i.e 3.88±1.473 mg/100g) and 34.70±0.026 mg/100g respectively, as compared to 5.85±0.167μg/100g of β-carotene and 39.95±0.052 mg/100g of ascorbic acid content present in fresh Taraxacum officinale leaves. Total chlorophyll (239.51±0.015 mg/100g) including chlorophyll-a (178.03±0.035 mg/100g) and chlorophyll-b (61.49±0.049 mg/100g) of shade-dried Taraxacum officinale leaves was found to be significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of fresh Taraxacum officinale leaves. Further, HPTLC based analysis demonstrated that both fresh and dried Taraxacum officinale leaves were found to possess quercetin flavonoid but were devoid of steroidal compound diosgenin. The results related to anti-hyperglycemic effect of Taraxacum officinale leaves indicated that aqueous extracts of shade-dried samples displayed highest inhibitory action against α-amylase. Whereas, comperatively ethanolic extracts of both fresh and shade-dried Taraxacum officinale leaves showed highest inhibitory action against α-glucosidase activity. It was contented from the results that the inhibitory action of Taraxacum officinale extract against two key enzymes- α-amylase and α-glucosidase is concentration dependent as the inhibitory action increased with increase in the concentration of extracts from 1mg/ml to 30 mg/ml. Correlation matrix between different variables and bioactive constituents of fresh and dried Taraxacum officinale leaves revealed that total phenols imparted maximum inhibitory action to extracts against the key enzymes-α-amylase and α-glucosidases as evident from their R2 values. It was concluded from the present study that Taraxacum officinale is a rich source of nutrients including carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber and minerals (iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium) and exhibit potent anti-hyperglycemic activity via blocking of two key enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) involved in carbohydrate metabolism.
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M.Sc Thesis submitted to SKUAST Kashmir
Keywords
Taraxacum officinale, total phenols, hypoglycemic effect, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, Post Harvest Technology
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