This study documents for the first time the phytochemical composition and biological activities of Tambourissa peltata Baker, an endemic plant from Mauritius. Phytochemical extraction was performed using ethyl acetate, methanol and distilled water as solvents. The phytochemical composition was determined through HPLC-MS and other standard assays. The DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC and phosphomolybdenum assays were employed for the determination of the antioxidant potential, whereas cell viability assays were used to determine the cytotoxicity. The highest phenolic and phenolic acid contents were obtained in the aqueous extract (179.91 ± 0.67 gallic acid equivalents/g and 55.74 ± 1.43 caffeic acid equivalents/g). The highest quantity of flavonoids was obtained in the ethyl acetate extract (28.97 ± 0.46 rutin equivalents/g). The methanolic extract was the highest source of flavonols (33.71 ± 0.13 mg catechin equivalents/g). A total of 34 phytochemicals were identified, mainly proanthocyanidins and flavonoid glycosides. The highest antioxidant activity in DPPH (973.40 ± 5.65 mg TE (Trolox equivalents)/g), ABTS (2030.37 ± 40.83 mg TE/g), FRAP (1461.39 ± 5.95 mg TE/g), CUPRAC (1940.99 ± 20.95 mg TE/g) and phosphomolybdenum (8.37 ± 0.23 mmol TE/g) assays was recorded for the aqueous extract. The ethyl acetate extract was the most active metal chelator. The highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitor was the methanolic extract, whereas the ethyl acetate extract was the most active against BChE. The tyrosinase enzyme was most inhibited by the methanolic extract. Alpha-amylase and glucosidase were most inhibited by the aqueous extract. The methanolic extract was capable of inducing cell cytotoxicity to the human colorectal carcinoma without damaging normal cells. T. peltata warrants further attention from the scientific community given its multifaceted biological properties.
Keywords: Tambourissa peltata; antioxidant; cytotoxicity; phenolic.