Biochemical analysis and comparative studies on Diospyros kaki extracts

Background: Limited study on different organs of Diospyros kaki in biochemical figure of Pakistani plants still require considerable research activities due to its remarkable antioxidant properties.

Objective: This study was an effort to characterize antioxidant properties regarding Diospyros kaki with special reference to its detailed biochemical analysis and linked health claim.

Method: The biochemical analysis according to the role of certain bioactive molecules in different plant organs of Diospyros kaki viz enzymatic, non enzymatic antioxidants, hydrolytic enzymes and few other biochemical parameters such as total antioxidant activity, total oxidant status, total soluble sugars and protein along with pigments like chlorophyll ( total, a and b), carotenoids and lycopene were studied. Results: Among enzymatic antioxidant, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase along with protease activity, total antioxidant capacity, total phenolic contents, tannins and pigments like chlorophyll (total, a and b) were observed highest in leaves. Unripe fruit showed significant α-amylase, ascorbic acid, non reducing sugars, total soluble sugars, total carotenoids, lycopene and significantly lowest total oxidant status. Similarly, remarkable highest amount of superoxide dismutase and proteins were predicted in ripe fruit whereas peroxidase activity and reducing sugars were investigated in bark. However, highest esterase activity was indicated in stem.

Conclusion: Our present findings concluded the fact that leaves, bark, stem, ripe and unripe fruit of Diospyros kaki could be exploited in pharmacology due to sufficient presence of different antioxidants but large number of antioxidants reflected in leaves and unripe fruit extract make them more potent and profound therauptic agents.

Future perspective: Keeping in mind the above facts and research findings, further pharmacological and biochemical explorations are needed to discover natural products.