ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-LIPID PEROXIDATIVE AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF THE EPIPHYTIC FERN, PYRROSIA HETEROPHYLLA (L.) M. G. PRICE

Objective: The present study was aimed at establishing the antioxidant, free radical scavenging, anti-lipid peroxidative and antimicrobial properties of the plant Pyrrosia heterophylla (L.) M. G. PRICE.Methods: Standard protocols were used to estimate the antioxidant potential of the hexane, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of the plant. Radical scavenging ability of the extracts was assayed for 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonicacid) (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) and hydroxyl radicals. Total antioxidant activity assay was done following the phospho- molybdenum method. The reductive potential was measured by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Lipid peroxidation assay was done in vitro. Total phenolic content was measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Antimicrobial activity was identified by well diffusion method, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by serial dilution method.Results: Results revealed that the ethyl acetate extract (PHE) exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity followed by the methanolic extract (PHM) whereas the hexane extract (PHH) had the lowest activity. The percentage radical scavenging by PHE was found to be 86.63±0.85, 89.48±2.08 and 70.89±1.46 for DPPH, ABTS and hydroxyl radicals respectively, at a concentration of 800μg/ml. The total antioxidant activity of PHE, PHM and PHH was found to be 538.33±3.51, 283.33±7.57and 13.76±3.95 ascorbic acid equivalents/g of extract respectively. Phenolic content of PHE was the highest (207.22±1.95 gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g of extract), followed by PHM and PHH (197.92±2.00 and 37.50±2.18 GAE/g respectively). Total reducing power was also found to be the highest in PHE followed by PHM and PHH as per the FRAP assay. All the extracts were found to possess inhibitory activity against the tested microorganisms. MIC50 value of all the extracts was below 40 µg/ml.Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed the antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-lipid peroxidation potentials of the plant P. heterophylla (L.) M. G. PRICE

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND IN VITRO FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF SUCCESSIVE EXTRACTS OF ALYSICARPUS VAGINALIS VAR. NUMMULARIFOLIUS (DC.) MIQ

Objective: The present study was carried to evaluate free radical scavenging activity and phytochemical analysis of successive extraction with hexane (AVH), ethyl acetate (AVE) and methanol (AVM) of Alysicarpus vaginalis var. nummularifolius (DC.) MIQ., a herb used in home remedies.Methods: The entire plant was dried and powdered, successively extracted (soxhlet apparatus) and concentrated using rotary vacuum evaporator. The extracts were quantitatively analyzed for phytochemicals like total phenolic, flavonoids, alkaloids and carbohydrates following standard methods. The free radical scavenging activity was evaluated with DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), nitric oxide radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging reactions.Results: The quantitative phytochemical studies of the crude extracts showed that AVM extract with highest phenolic, flavonoid, alkaloid and carbohydrate content which is followed by AVE and AVH. The IC50 values of AVH, AVE and AVM for scavenging DPPH, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide were 589.21±0.09 µg/ml, 254.65±0.08 µg/ml and 261.40±0.08 µg/ml; 533.81±0.09 µg/ml, 362.07±0.09 µg/ml and 456.36±0.08 µ/ml; 464.66±0.08 µg/ml, 380.29±0.08 µg/ml and 367.6±0.08 µg/ml respectively. Conclusion: The present study revealed that AVM extracts having high polyphenolic compounds when compared with AVE and AVH. The free radical scavenging reaction was greater in ethyl acetate and methanol extracts. This suggests that due to the high antioxidant reactions, these extracts can be useful for the treatment of oxidative stress–related diseases

In vivo HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF Pyrrosia heterophylla (L.) M.G. PRICE, A FERN USED IN INDIAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

Pyrrosia heterophylla is an epiphytic fern used in Indian tribal and traditional medicine for treatment of jaundice and some inflammatory conditions such as asthma, swellings and pain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of different leaf extracts of P. heterophylla on acetaminophen-intoxicated male Wistar rats. The hepatoprotective effect of ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of P. heterophylla (PHE and PHM respectively) was evaluated by studying changes in liver function markers in serum such as AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase and bilirubin. In vivo antioxidant effect of the extracts was evaluated by analysing the lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant systems in liver. Histopathological study of liver tissue was done to support the biochemical analyses. Both PHE and PHM were found to have significant hepatoprotective effect on acetaminophen intoxicated Wistar rats in a dose dependent manner. Serum markers of hepatotoxicity as well as tissue lipid peroxidative products were maintained similar to normal in the rats pre-treated with extracts. Biochemical data was supported by results of the histological studies. The study substantiated the traditional use of P. heterophylla as a hepatoprotective agent. Leaf extracts of P. heterophylla were able to provide significant hepatoprotection in acetaminophen treated rats with PHE being more effective than PHM