PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION AND IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF CLERODENDRUM SERRATUM ROOTS

Objective: To evaluate in vitro free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects of extract and fractions of Clerodendrum serratum roots along with its phytochemical analysis.Methods: The crude 70% methanolic extract (MECSR) and ethyl acetate (EFCSR), n-butanol (BFCSR) and residual aqueous fractions (AQFCSR) of C. serratum roots were prepared and analyzed for qualitative and quantitative phytochemical study using reported methods. The in vitro anti-inflammatory effects were studied using protein denaturation and proteinase inhibitory assays whereas in vitro free radical scavenging effects were established using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), modified 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays.Results: The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical studies of crude extract and fractions showed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, and carbohydrates. All analyzed samples showed dose-dependent anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging effects in the studied in vitro assays. The IC50 values of MECSR, EFCSR, BFCSR and AQFCSR for scavenging the DPPH and ABTS radical ranged from 12.52±2.21 to 200.47±2.84 µg/ml and 18.12±1.76 to 216.08±1.90 µg/ml, respectively, while that of protein denaturation and proteinase inhibition assays were ranged from 70.76±1.40 to 110.13±1.63 µg/ml and 76.66±2.02 to 116.55±2.19 µg/ml.Conclusion: Among the analyzed samples, the EFCSR showed significantly higher free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects in studied assays. The observed activities might be attributed to the higher content of polyphenols present in EFCSR fraction of roots. The present study will provide scientific data to reinforce the traditional claims of roots for treating inflammation, pain and other oxidative stress related diseases

EVALUATION OF IN VITRO ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF SYMPLOCOS RACEMOSA BARK AGAINST HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Objective: To investigate in vitro anticancer activity of different extracts of bark of Symplocos racemosa against hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods: Different successive extracts of Symplocos racemosa bark were prepared using hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water and were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity using (3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) assay in rat normal liver cells (BRL-3A) and human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B) cells.Results: Ethyl acetate and chloroform extract of Symplocos racemosa exhibited cytotoxicity against human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B) cells in vitro with IC50 value (µg/ml) of 63.45 and 75.55 respectively and not affected the normal liver (BRL-3A) cells.Conclusion: Symplocos racemosa bark extracts showed potential cytotoxic effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The anticancer activity exhibited by ethyl acetate and chloroform extract might be due to presence of phenolics and flavonoid constituents present in the bark. Ethyl acetate extract can further be explored for possible cytotoxic activity using in vivo models of liver cancer.Â