Phytochemical studies and antioxidant properties of seeds from native plants’ of Kuwait’s arid desert ecosystems

AbstractPlants, with their bioactive compounds have massively contributed to the health needs of humans, since existence. Desert native flora of arid regions, possess untapped pharmacological potentials that offer locally accessible, inexpensive and safe therapeutic reliefs for mild to tragic disastrous diseases. However, the unique diversified phytochemical profile, composition and pharmacological impacts of native desert flora, responsible for their importance in health benefits is often disregarded. Desert plants and their seeds are a vast source of bioactive compounds, and understanding the phytochemical profile and pharmacological properties is necessary before adopting them in natural medicine. An investigation was carried out in selected seeds of native desert annual plants of Kuwait belonging to various families (Malva parviflora L., Phalaris minor Retz., Plantago ovata Forssk, Plantago boissieri Hausskn. & Bornm., Astragalus hauarensis Boiss., Astragalus annularis Forssk, Brassica tournefortii Gouan, Reseda arabica Boiss, Suaeda aegyptiaca (Hasselq.) Zohary and Silene villosa Forssk). Phytochemical distribution is based on the classifications of plant metabolites as tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids, carotenoids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones and reducing sugars, were qualitatively determined by universally accepted laboratory techniques. The results indicated the existence of tannins, saponins, and cardiac glycosides in all the ten investigated native desert plant seeds. The seeds of P. boissieri, R. arabica and S. villosa, displayed the strong presence of tannins and terpenoids, while P. boissieri and M. parviflora, strongly apprehended alkaloids. Saponins were recorded high in M. parviflora seeds, whereas cardiac glycosides in P. boissieri seeds. The presence of phytochemical constituents in the seeds of Kuwait native annual flora seemed to have prospective as the source for potential drugs or herbal formulations; however, further research arenas are required for their biological properties relating to its therapeutic effects.