The Phytochemical assay, and in vitro assessment of the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of Beta vulgaris L. (Amaranthaceae), and Corchorus olitorius L. (Malvaceae) crude leaf extracts

Background and objective: The traditional herbs Beta vulgaris and Corchorus olitorius are cultivated in Iraq and recorded in the Kurdish ethnobotany for various health problems including expectorant, laxative, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory and to relieve fever and pain. This study aimed to assess and compare the different biological properties of methanolic leaf extracts of Beta vulgaris and Corchorus olitorius cultivated in Iraq and recognize various classes of phytoconstituents present in each one. Methods: The bioactive entities in the crude methanolic leaves extracts of Beta vulgaris and Corchorus olitorius were subjected to phytochemical evaluations. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and egg albumin denaturation assays, respectively. The leaf extracts were tested for antibacterial properties using the agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Results: The crude methanolic extracts of Beta vulgaris and Corchorus olitorius showed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, cardioactive glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, and steroids. The Beta vulgaris displayed higher gallic acid content 417.90±0.52 mg/gm of the extract compared to 79.85±0.99 mg/gm for Corchorus olitorius with (P <0.001).The antioxidant activity of Beta vulgaris leaves extract was significantly higher with (P = 0.035) in reference to ascorbic acid. Among the selected bacterial species, Klebsiella pneumoniae revealed pronounced sensitivity towards the methanolic extracts of both plants. The Corchorus olitorius leaves extract showed higher antibacterial activity than Beta vulgaris. Beta vulgaris presented greater anti-inflammatory activity at 1000 μg/mL with inhibition of 93.0% compared to 83.2% using acetylsalicylic acid as positive control. Conclusion: The methanolic leaf extracts of Beta vulgaris and Corchorus olitorius possess antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory potentials.