In vitro Inhibitory Effect of Methanol Leaf Extract of Cadaba farinosa on Carbonic Anhydrase Activity

Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the carbonic anhydrase inhibitory potential of Cadaba farinosa leaf extract.

Methodology: Cadaba farinosa leaves were extracted using soxhlet apparatus by n-Hexane, followed by Ethyl acetate and then Methanol. The extracts were tested against in vitro carbonic anhydrase activity. The most active extract was further purified to determine in vitro the most active fraction against carbonic anhydrase activity. The purified fractions of Methanol extracts were subjected to FTIR and GC-MS analysis to determine the functional compounds responsible of such biological activity.

Results: The result of the present study revealed the presence of inhibitory activity of n-Hexane and Ethyl acetate extract against carbonic anhydrase whereas the Methanol extract showed activation against the enzyme. Purified fractions of Methanol leaf extract revealed the presence of activator and inhibitor fraction. FTIR analysis of the inhibitor fraction of methanol leaf extract revealed characteristic band absorption similar to alpha aminonitrile while the GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of derivatives ribonitrile, of methyl hydrazine, methyl pyridine.

Conclusion: Cadaba farinosa leaf has compounds that can inhibit and activate carbonic anhydrase, and thus could be used in the development of nitrile-containing pharmaceuticals which are prescribed for a diverse variety of medicinal indications.