Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation of Pharmacological Potential of Baliospermum solanifolium Leaf Extract

Background

Baliospermum solanifolium is a traditional medicinal plant, locally known as “dantigaacha” from Euphorbiaceae family, and has been used in different diseases treatments likes helminthiasis, skin diseases, diabetes, snake-bite, and leukoderma.

Objectives

Depending on the traditional uses of B. solanifolium and the lack of scientific works, we aimed to conduct some pharmacological tests on its leaves.

Methods

Active constituents of B. solanifolium were assessed by qualitative screening. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) was used for free radical scavenging assay. Behavioral change and mortality rate were used as indicators to assess the toxicity of B. solanifolium. The antidiabetic potential was evaluated by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and alpha-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activity. In antidiarrheal activity, castor oil-induced mice were used. Antibacterial test was carried out by disk diffusion assay and MIC determination. Furthermore, analgesic activity was done by acetic acid-induced writhing method.

Results

B. solanifolium contains alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, flavonoids, tannis, phenolics etc. Acute toxicity test ensured the safety of the extract. In DPPH, the extract showed antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ (concentration needed to scavenge 50% DPPH) value of 61.65 µg/mL. Total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents were determined as 124 mg GAE/g, 440 mg QE/g and 344 mg GAE/g dried extract, respectively. In OGTT, the extract reduced the blood glucose level significantly. In the alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity, the plant showed a concentration-dependent reduction of the enzyme at IC₅₀ of 8.53 mg/mL. In the antidiarrheal test, B. solanifolium inhibit defecation 30.69% and 53.41% at dose 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The extract also showed antibacterial activity against four bacterial strains in the disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were 62.5 µg/mL, 62.5 µg/mL, 125 µg/mL and 62.5 µg/mL against four bacterial strains, independently. In analgesic activity test, the extract reduced the writhing impulse up to 48.51% at 500 mg/kg dose.

Conclusion

B. solanifolium contains many active phytoconstituents which may be the possible candidates for targeting diabetes, microbial infection, diarrhea and pain in the future.