Suchitra M R¹ and Parthasarathy S^2*

¹Department of Chemistry and Biosciences, SASTRA, (SRC) (deemed to be university) Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, India.

²Department of Anaesthesiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical college and research institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, (deemed to be university) Pondicherry, India.

Corresponding Author E-mail: painfreepartha@gmail.com

DOI : https://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bpj/2849

Abstract

Capparis zeylanica (Aadhandangai) is a 2- to 5-meter-tall shrub endemic to India and other Asian nations. The leaves are anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-helminthic. Several studies have been carried out to illustrate the medicinal and therapeutic properties of leaf extract. A careful examination of the literature identified no studies on unripe fruits, which are customarily eaten on the festival of Aadi Amavasya (new moon day of July-August). Capparis zeylanica, used for the study was recognised by a team of botanical experts and a marketing expert with an expertise of more than four decades.  Unripe fruits were assessed for mineral content and antioxidant DPPH test. The phytochemical analyses were carried out using the procedures outlined. The Roche/Hitachi Cobas 6000 analyser series was used to measure trace elements and minerals such as phosphorus. The fruit showed the presence of antioxidants. The phytochemical studies also revealed proteins, amino acids, and saponins. The fruit was high in calcium and phosphorus (> 48.0 mg/100 gm), but low in zinc and magnesium.   It also had vitamin D and B12.  The presence of trace minerals and vitamins with anti-oxidant action makes it a food; however, an excess of calcium with phosphorous may cause injury to a weak kidney, therefore an annual and infrequent consumption may have been advised. So far, there is no literature on the plant's immature fruit. This study is the first to demonstrate the utility of the customary practice of annual intake.

Keywords

Aadhandangai; Aadi month; Antioxidant; Capparis zeylanica; Fruit; minerals

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Copy the following to cite this article: Suchitra M. R, Parthasarathy S. Evaluation of Antioxidant Effects and Estimation of Trace Minerals in Unripe Fruits of Capparis Zeylanica (Aadhandangai) – An Invitro Study. Biomed Pharmacol J 2024;17(1).

Copy the following to cite this URL: Suchitra M. R, Parthasarathy S. Evaluation of Antioxidant Effects and Estimation of Trace Minerals in Unripe Fruits of Capparis Zeylanica (Aadhandangai) – An Invitro Study. Biomed Pharmacol J 2024;17(1). Available from: https://bit.ly/487Jnsm

Introduction

Plants as herbs are frequently studied for medical purposes. A variety of herbs have been investigated for their antioxidant and anti-cancer properties^1-3. The evergreen climbing shrub Capparis zeylanica (Aadhandangai) is native to India, the Andaman Islands, and a few South Asian countries. In the countryside and bushes, the plant is harvested for local use as a drug and, on rare occasions, as food. There have been a few studies on its medicinal use, but there is little literature on its unripe fruit consumption⁴. Rayars and Vaishnavites, a rare community in South India, used to take this unripe fruit once a year on the new moon day of the Aadi month, which corresponds to July-August in the English calendar. According to rituals, the fruit is only supposed to be eaten once a year. We attempted to analyse the unripe fruit in terms of antioxidants and trace elements in order to understand the importance of avoiding frequent consumption. The study tried to investigate the antioxidant effects of the plant’s unripe fruit as well as the presence of trace elements in the crushed fruit of Capparis zeylanica. Since these fruits are seasonal, the analyses could only be performed in the months of July and August

Methods

The plant ofCapparis zeylanica was identifiedby the team of botany experts and a marketing expert of this fruit for more than four decades. (Fig 1)

Figure 1: showing the unripe fruit of Capparis zeylanica Click here to view Figure

The Phytochemical analyses was done according to described methods⁵.The DPPH radical scavenging capacity of rhizome extracts was measured using the classically described methods.  Twelve mg of DPPH was dissolved in 50 ml of methanol to make a stock solution. Diluting the stock solution to achieve an absorbance of 1.05 yielded the working solution. 2. 8 ml of the working solution (1 mg/ml) was added to 200 ml of the diluted plant sample. The reaction mixture was thoroughly mixed and incubated in the dark for 15 minutes. The absorbance was then measured at 517 nm with BHT as the standard⁶. The elements were analysed after feeding into an automated instrument which analyses the elements. Trace elements and minerals including phosphorus were measured using The Roche/Hitachi Cobas 6000 analyser series. Each mineral is analysed a validated technique whose description is beyond the scope of this article.

Results

The phytochemical content is tabled below (fig 2 and Table 1)

Figure 2: showing the presence and absence of metabolites. Click here to view Figure

Table 1: showing the presence or absence of metabolites

S.No.	Phytochemical	Result
1	Alkaloid	Presence
2	Carbohydrate	Absence
3	Glycosides	Absence
4	Saponins	Presence
5	Protein	Presence
6	Amino Acids	Presence
7	Phenolic	Absence
8	Flavonoids	Absence
9	Terpenoids	Absence
10	Steroids	Absence

 

The antioxidant properties are clearly shown in fig 3 and table 2

Figure 3: showing antioxidant activity in DPPH assay Click here to view Figure

Table 2: showing antioxidant properties

Concentration (µg/mL)	Absorbance		Average	Inhibition (%)
	I	II
Control	0.943	0.94	0.9415	0
20	0.749	0.743	0.746	20.76
40	0.567	0.573	0.57	39.45
60	0.532	0.531	0.5315	43.54
80	0.517	0.519	0.518	44.98
100	0.486	0.482	0.484	48.59

 

The mineral contents with normal values are tabled below (Table 3)

Table 3: showing mineral content of aadhandangai compared with plasma values and commonly taken fruit banana.

Mineral	Observed value Aadhandangai	Plasma value normal	Banana
zinc	270 ug/100 gm	70 – 120 ug/dL	150 ug/100 gm
Magnesium	4.12 mg/100 gm	1.8 – 2.4 mg/dL	27 mg/100gm
Calcium	> 48.0 mg/100 gm	8.8-10.0	Minimal
Phosphorus	37 mg/100 gm	2.3-4.7	22 mg/100 g
Vitamin B12	1.6 mg/100 grams	187-833 pg/ml	0

 

The trace elements like mercury and arsenic are well below the estimating limits. Iron was present in traces. Cyanocobalamin and vitamin D are also present in this unripe fruit

Discussion

Capparis zeylanica (Aadhandangai) is a 2-to-5-meter plant growing in the shrubs of India, and other parts of Asia. The leaves have got anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-helminthic properties. There are a lot of studies to prove the medicinal and beneficial effects of leaf extract^7,.8  A thorough literature search has not revealed any studies on unripe fruits which has been traditionally consumed on the day of Aadi Amavasya. The unripe fruit contains proteins, aminoacids, and proteins without carbohydrates, which contribute to its medicinal properties rather than its use as a food. Typically, the plant’s fruits do not ripen. As a result, unripe fruits are consumed. The authors have noted that unripe fruits decay after a few days of plucking..  There are alkaloids and saponins which confer anti-oxidant effect but the presence of saponins alone can be toxic to human health. This may be part of the reason to avoid frequent intake of the fruit.  A significant finding there is an absence of flavonoids, phenols and terpenoids. This finding goes against the previous studies which established such chemicals in leaf extract.⁸ Considering the vitamins and minerals, it contains B 12 which is usually an animal source. Hence possibly to support vegetarians in terms of this vitamin, the fruit may be advised once in a year.  When compared to banana, a commonly taken fruit, it has got excess of phosphorous, calcium. This combination in excess may not be good for health increasing the propensity for atherosclerosis and vascular diseases^9,10. The possibility of excess calcium and phosphorus a leading on to kidney damage is reported. Hence minimal vitamin D along with excessive phosphorous and calcium is likely to cause renal damage if given daily. Hence, this fruit is possibly advised to be taken once in a year. We have our limitations. The exact reason for the occasional intake is unclear. We have suggestions. Further detailed analyses of toxic elements may throw light in this angle. This fruit being a seasonal one in July -August, we cannot analyse the fruits budding in other seasons. In terms of vitamins and minerals, it contains B 12, which is usually obtained from animals. As a result, the fruit may be recommended once a year to vegetarians in terms of this vitamin. It has long been assumed that there are no known sources of Vitamin B 12 in plant foods. However, it has been established that cow dung used as manure can increase vitamin levels in plants. Because cow dung is widely used and available, this could be one of the proposed mechanisms for the presence of vitamin B 12 in this fruit. Fruits like oranges and vegetarian foods like spinach contain vitamin D. This unripe fruit in our study may have a low vitamin D content. This fruit has not been studied previously, and we conducted the first-time analyses to detect it. This fruit appears to be unique in demonstrating antioxidant activity from the proteins themselves. There have been a few studies that show the same thing occurs in different plants.^13,14 We have not studied the anti-helminthic and anti-cancer potential of the fruit. This study may give a clue to why this is being advised for an annual intake. There is no evidence for the timing of intake. This fruit being seasonal is most abundant in the month of Aadi. (July- August)

Conclusion

We conclude that unripe Capparis zeylanica (Aadhandangai) fruits have antioxidant properties. The presence of saponins may contribute to the fruit’s possible toxic potential. The abundance of calcium and phosphorous in this fruit may favour a pulsed dose rather than a regular intake. There was also zinc, magnesium, vitamins D and B12. We theorize that the fruit being a vegetarian source of B12 could be due to cow dung manure or soil changes.  We accept that our study has not clarified the reasons behind annual intake with authority. We are trying to get the unripe fruit in other seasons to establish differences if any. 

Acknowledgement

Our sincere thanks to Harman research centre,Thanjavur India for their help in analyses.

Conflict of Interest

There is no conflict of interest.

Funding Sources

There are no funding sources

Author Contributions

MRS – concept and methodology

SPS – manuscript writing and communication

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