In vitro Assessment of the Potential Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Properties of Edible Parts of Chrysophyllum albidum Fruit Extracts

Chrysophyllum albidum (Linn) belongs to Sapotaceae family and commonly called African star apple. It is traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments. This study aimed at investigating in vitro antidiabetic and antioxidant properties of three edible parts of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit extracts. Lyophilized C. albidum fruit pulp, skin and seed shell pericarp powders were extracted using aqueous and methanol as solvents. In vitro antioxidant (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl: DPPH, Ferrous Ion chelating, Antilipid peroxidation, Hydroxyl radical and Hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay as well as estimation of total phenolic, flavonoid and antioxidant contents) assay and antidiabetic (α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory assay) activities of extracts were evaluated. The study revealed that methanol skin extract of C. albidum fruit contained the highest levels of total phenolics (19.0 ± 0.16mg GAE/g dry weight), flavonoids (41.27 ± mgQE/g dry weight) and antioxidant (98.51 ± 0.10mg AAE/g dry weight) and exhibited comparable scavenging property with standards using DPPH, deoxyribose and hydrogen peroxide as substrates. Significant α-amylase (86.45 ± 0.97) and α-glucosidase (85.07 ± 0.71) inhibitory activities were also observed in methanol skin extract of C. albidum fruit, which was comparable with acarbose standard drug -99.04 ± 0.04 and 98.99 ± 0.05 respectively. Results demonstrate the antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of methanol skin extract of C. albidum fruit and indicate that C. albidum fruit skin could have therapeutic value in diabetes and the related condition of oxidative stress. Hence, further study by in vivo model would be required for the plant’s potential in the management and/or prevention of diabetes