LC–TOF-MS/MS and GC-MS based phytochemical profiling and evaluation of wound healing activity of Oroxylum Indicum (L.) Kurz (Beka)

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Beka (<i>Oroxylum indicum</i> (L.) Kurz) has been used as a culinary herb and natural remedy by the local communities in Malaysia. The leaf of <i>O. indicum</i> is traditionally used for the treatment of diarrhea, high blood pressure, and improving digestive health. <b>Objectives:</b> The present study was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical constituents and wound healing properties (<i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> models) of aqueous and ethanol extracts of <i>O. indicum</i> leaves. <b>Methods:</b> The total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents in the plant extracts were determined by the spectrophotometric methods. Further, the extract was characterized by Liquid Chromatography Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS/MS) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The wound healing activity was assessed using the <i>in vitro</i> scratch wound-healing assay and <i>in vivo</i> excisional wound model. <b>Results:</b> The results show the ethanol leaves extract had the higher TPC (164 mg GAE/g) when compared with the aqueous leaves extract (30 mg gallic acid equivalents/g). The ethanol leaves extract was also found to have higher TFC (101 mg Catechin equivalents/g) than the aqueous leaves extract (76 mg Catechin equivalents/g). The ethanol leaves extract was then used for further chemical analysis. The LC-TOF-MS/MS analysis showed that the leaves extracts of <i>O. indicum</i> contains many important compounds such as Orientin, Chrysin, Pinoquercetin, Cupressuflavone, Puerarin xyloside, Forsythiaside and Paederoside. In GC-MS analysis, 19 compounds were identified in ethanolic leaves extract. The wound healing studies shows that <i>O. indicum</i> has promising wound healing activity by increasing the rate of wound contraction significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> In conclusion, the present study showed that <i>O. indicum</i> leaf contains important phytochemicals and the wound healing potential of the <i>O. indicum</i> extract may probably be as a result of the presence of various phytoconstituents.