Comprehensive Analysis of Areca catechu Flower Extracts: Quantitative Phytochemical Analysis, GC-MS Characterization and in vitro Antiurolithiatic Activity

Despite the fact that the root, fruit, and pulp of Areca catechu are claimed to possess antiurolithiatic properties, there is no information that has been documented regarding the flowers of the plant. The study was to confirm the active ingredients of Areca catechu flower and characterized by the GC-MS technique. The preliminary phytochemical analysis and the assessment of the total content were performed on a different type of extracts of Areca catechu flowers. The antiurolithiatic activity of A. catechu was determined by nucleation assay, growth assay and titrimetric method. The highest yield was obtained with methanol (7.4%), while chloroform yield was minimal (1.8%). The extracts contained flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, steroids and phenolic compounds, while terpenoids, saponins and reducing sugars were absent. The hexane and petroleum ether extracts of A. catechu flowers contained 10 chemical constituents. While 13 chemical constituents were analyzed from the ethyl acetate, chloroform, ethanolic and methanolic extracts. It was found that methanolic extract exhibited better action than cystone in nucleation assay and signification inhibitory action in growth assay. The maximum percentage dissolution among the extracts was shown by methanolic extracts (75.35%) at the concentration of 100 mg/mL, whereas cystone showed maximum percentage (86.63%) dissolution at the concentration of 100 mg/mL. Moreover, A. catechu extracts also exhibited significant in vitro antiurolithiatic activity.