Phytochemical Study and Anti-Obesity Properties of the Leaves of Tradescantia Spathecea

Sim, Michelle Jia Jia (2023) Phytochemical Study and Anti-Obesity Properties of the Leaves of Tradescantia Spathecea. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

The medicinal plant T. spathacea, which belongs to the Commelinaceae family, has a diverse range of pharmacological effects. Mycosal infections, venereal diseases, urinary tract infections, haemorrhoids, tuberculosis, and cough have all been treated with it. Additionally, it is said to have hepatoprotective, anti-hyperuricemia, and antimicrobial properties. Sibutramine is one of many pricey, side-effect-laden synthetic medications. Furthermore, there isn't enough research or evidence to support the usage of T. spathacea in anti-obesity medications. The goal of this study was to extract crude extracts from T. spathacea leaves using organic solvents, isolate and characterise chemical compounds from T. spathacea leaves using chromatography and spectroscopic methods, and evaluate the anti-obesity properties of the extracted compounds and crude extracts. The crude hexane, ethanol, and ethyl acetate from T. spathacea leaves were subjected to phytochemical analysis and evaluated. Three of the crudes underwent tests to measure the total phenolic and flavonoid content in order to quantify their presence. Then, utilising in vitro assays of the Tradescantia species, T. spathacea's porcine pancreatic lipase, a study on the anti-obesity activities of chemical compounds was carried out. Various chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques were used to separate and isolate the pure components from its ethyl extract. The percentage yields of hexane, ethanol and ethyl acetate crude samples were 0. 08, 0. 09 and 0. 02 %. Two compounds were identified as 2,3-di-tert-butylphenol, C14H22O and 2,2',3,3'-tetra-tert-butyl-1,1'-biphenyl, C28H42, and their structures were determined on the basis of 1D-, 2D-NMR, IR, UV, and mass spectral data. Based on the anti-obesity properties test of crude samples, the ethyl acetate crude showed a desirable lipase inhibitory activity of 84.23±1.88, and the hexane crude showed 48.45±0.26. The IC50 of the ethyl acetate crude found was 1.44. Both pure compounds do not reach 50% of lipid inhibition. The highest percentage of lipase inhibitory activity found for compound A was 17.92±2.85 whereas for compound B was 11.78±0.46. This research had provided evidence that ethyl acetate crude possesses anti-obesity compounds in it, which can be further tested on the anti-lipase test in the future. Keywords: Commelinaceae; T. spathacea; antiobesity; 2,3-di-tert-butylphenol; 2,2',3,3'-tetra-tert-butyl-1,1'-biphenyl.