Calligonum polygonoides Linnaeus Extract: HPLC-EC and Total Antioxidant Capacity Evaluation

Phenolic compounds constitute one of the most numerous groups of plant secondary metabolites. The interest in the bioactivity of phenolic compounds is due to the potential health benefits of these polyphenolic components and their involvement in important biological and industrial processes. Flavonoids can be found in fruits, vegetables, tea, wine and chocolate. The basic structure of flavonoids consists on the tricyclic C6 C3 C6. Their benefits to people are anti-inflammatory, hormonal, anti-bleeding, anti-allergic and even prevention of the cancer onset. It is also attributed to flavonoids the improvement in hair and nails condition since they promote the vitamin C absorption. However, the most important is their antioxidant property, which fights free radicals in the human body, detoxifying the body, and making better use of nutrients. The consumption of fruits and vegetables has long been associated with health benefits due to their high antioxidants concentration. The genus Calligonum (family polygonaceae) comprises about 80 species, has numerous therapeutic benefits already known and studied, and are distributed throughout northern Africa, southern Europe and western Asia. Calligonum polygonoides Linnaeus, locally known as Phog or Phogra, is a common woody shrub grown naturally in sand dunes of the desert of Rajasthan, in India [1] and it is well known for its adaptability in extreme xeric conditions. The plant is ecologically valuable as it stabilizes the sand dunes and prevents soil erosion, and is also an important source of food [1,2]. It has leafless fleshy green smooth branches and white stem and produce small numerous flower buds and succulent flowers that are converted in hairy/spiny fruits. The over exploitation of the plant has made it vulnerable and endangered species in its habitat [2]. Calligonum polygonoides Linnaeus is known for its medicinal properties apart from being traditionally used as food during frequent famines, Figure 1 [3–6]. These plants produce numerous flower buds during March and April. The local people harvest branches bearing on opened but still green flower buds, sun-dry, harvest and store them, as valuable condiment/vegetable, “phog” flowers or “phogla”. The vegetable “phogla” is used to make delicious heat relieving “Raiyta” (a curd/yogurt preparation) by locals. The flowers of the plants are known to contain a high amount of protein, possess tonic and digestive properties, being also useful against asthma, cough and cold. The juice is applied to the eye as an antidote to scorpion sting, the latex is used to treat eczema, bite dogs and abortion, and the roots decoction mixed with catechu is used as gargle for sore gum. Phytochemical screening of Calligonum polygonoides shows the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, proteins, tannins, steroids, phenols, carbohydrates and terpenoids in flower buds, flowers, seeds, and stems [7–11]. Thus, owing to the health properties associated with these shrubs, in which the phenolic antioxidants play