Chemical characterization and pharmacological profile of Tribulus terrestris extracts: A novel source of cosmeceuticals and pharmaceuticals

Tribulus terrestris is widely used in traditional medicine and in dietary supplements. Therefore, this research aims to obtain comprehensive information on antioxidant properties, enzyme inhibitory activity and chemical composition of T. terrestris leaves. HPLC-MS/MS was used to further extensively characterize the chemical composition of T. terrestris extracts. 27, 75, and 51 chemical components were identifed in ethyl acetate, methanol and water extract, respectively. The radical scavenging activity results showed that water extract had the strongest acvitiy (DPPH: 30.50 mgTE/g, ABTS: 44.49 mgTE/g). The reducing power activity was assessed by FRAP and CUPRAC assays. The highest CUPRAC activity is shown by the ethyl acetate extract (79.01 mgTE/g). Water extract showed the highest metal chelating activity compared with other extract. In general, the highest antioxidant capacity were obtained in the water extract. Ethyl acetate extract exhibited the highest enzyme inhibition activity (AChE: 1.56 mgGAE/g; BChE: 2.14 mgGALAE/g; α-amylase: 0.73 mmolACE/g; Tyrosinase: 30.14 mgKAE/g) compared with other extracts. This research provides a scientific basis for the development of natural antioxidant and enzyme inhibiton sources from T. terrestris.