The Phytochemical assay, and in vitro assessment of the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of Beta vulgaris L. (Amaranthaceae), and Corchorus olitorius L. (Malvaceae) crude leaf extracts

Background and objective: The traditional herbs Beta vulgaris and Corchorus olitorius are cultivated in Iraq and recorded in the Kurdish ethnobotany for various health problems including expectorant, laxative, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory and to relieve fever and pain. This study aimed to assess and compare the different biological properties of methanolic leaf extracts of Beta vulgaris and Corchorus olitorius cultivated in Iraq and recognize various classes of phytoconstituents present in each one. Methods: The bioactive entities in the crude methanolic leaves extracts of Beta vulgaris and Corchorus olitorius were subjected to phytochemical evaluations. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and egg albumin denaturation assays, respectively. The leaf extracts were tested for antibacterial properties using the agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Results: The crude methanolic extracts of Beta vulgaris and Corchorus olitorius showed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, cardioactive glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, and steroids. The Beta vulgaris displayed higher gallic acid content 417.90±0.52 mg/gm of the extract compared to 79.85±0.99 mg/gm for Corchorus olitorius with (P