Study on the Bioactive Constituents and in vitro Antioxidant and in vivo Antiinflammatory Activities of Extracts from the Fruits of Ziziphus Jujuba Mill. cv. Jinsixiaozao Hort.

The aims of this study were to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of extracts from fruits of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. cv. jinsixiaozao Hort (ZJMH) and its active chemical constituents. For antioxidant activity, reducing power, DPPH and p-carotene bleaching inhibition assay were used. Ethyl acetate extract exhibited the strongest antioxidant potential in all the models. For anti-inflammatory activity, petroleum ether extract showed the strongest inhibition (32.86%) against carrageenan-induced paw edema, which also displayed potent antiinflammatory activity against xylene-induced ear edema (41.52%). The contents of phenolic acids, flavonoids, triterpenes, anthocyanins, triterpenoid saponins of different extracts were also observed. Moreover, seven compounds were first isolated from petroleum ether extract and showed considerable anti-inflammatory activity, especially alphitolic acid and stigmasterol. The results showed that ZJMH can be a natural antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]