Characterization of Phenolic Compounds from Moth Bean (Vigna aconitifolia) Seeds and Assessment of Prophylactic Potential in Terms of Antioxidant and Antihypertensive Activity

Abstract

This study investigates the extraction, identification, and assessment of antioxidant and antihypertensive potential of soluble and bound phenolics from moth bean. The yields of soluble and bound phenolics were quantified as 0.15 ± 0.03 mg GAE/g and 0.28 ± 0.04 mg GAE/g, respectively. Overall, 9 major soluble phenolics and 15 bound phenolics were identified from the crude fractions. Soluble phenolics exhibited higher antioxidant potential (EC₅₀: DPPH: 17.25 ± 0.77; ABTS: 20.13 ± 0.25; FRAP: 3.3 ± 0.03 μg/mL) as well as a superior angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) along with renin (IC₅₀: 0.38; 2.3 μg/mL, respectively) inhibitory activity compared to bound phenolics. Notably, kaempferol displayed the highest ACE inhibition via interacting with key amino acids of the active site (His 387 and Glu 411) and the Zn ion of ACE, while gentisic acid exhibited the highest renin inhibition by interacting with the S1 pocket (Asp 32, Ser 76) of renin. These findings highlight their therapeutic relevance in hypertension and oxidative stress management.