Evaluation of South African Equisetum arvense as an Antidiabetic, Antioxidant and Immune Booster using Economical Thin Layer Chromatography Bio-autography

Introduction: Equisetum arvense (E. arvense) is an herbal medicinal plant that mostly found in Limpopo and the North West Provinces of South Africa. Traditionally, infusions decoction this are used management type 2 diabetes, compromised immune system oxidative stress related disorders. We investigated E. attempt to authenticate its traditional use by cost-effective thin layer chromatography. Methods: The anti-diabetic activity was assayed spraying a developed TLC plate with buffered ?-glucosidase enzyme bovin solution incubating at 36.9°C for 20 mins. A freshly prepared 2-naphthyl-?-D-glucopyranoside fast blue salt (1:4 v/v) detecting inhibitory extract. Immune boosting potentials were evaluated analysing presence or absence ?-sitosterol, known booster 3 extracts (chloroform, ethanol, water) enriched fractions E F. antioxidant using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picryl-Hydrazyl (DPPH), H2O2 free radical scavenging as well reducing power iron (+3) (+2) fractions. Standards positive controls respective assays conducted. Results: Results obtained indicated antidiabetic (inhibits implicated diabetes), (presence ?-sitosterol) (IC50 values 5.48 ± 0.13 - 12.38 0.09 FRAP, 12.00 0.02 – 14.01 0.23 DPPH 18.07 0.06 62.01 0.18 H2O2) assays. quantified amount ?-sitosterol compound ethanol extract determined 323.85 ng/mg 130.04 mg/ml 1.3 x 1011 ng/ml respectively. Conclusions: This study has preliminarily authenticated uses rural Africans.