LMRPID-397480
Page 53
1st August 2024
Phytochemical Screening & Biological Properties of Heliotropium indicum Leaves
Author: MAHEDI HASAN | LGMID: 27199320190101910
Reviewed by:
Lilac School of Medical Science & Technology (LSMT)
Paper preview
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Literature Review
4. Methodology
5. Findings
6. Conclusion
7. References
Abstract
Heliotropium indicum Hook. & Arn., locally known as “Hatir Sur”, is a naturally occurring medicinal plant from the Heliotropium genus under the Boraginaceae family. Traditionally valued in ethnomedicine, various species within this genus have demonstrated bioactivities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-neoplastic effects in prior in-vivo studies. Despite its broad pharmacological potential, the neuropharmacological, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties of Heliotropium indicum leaves remain largely unexplored. This research aimed to investigate these properties through an integrated approach involving both in-vitro and in-vivo methodologies. The ethanol extract of Heliotropium indicum leaves (EHIL) was subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening, revealing a rich profile of bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, glycosides, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, quinones, and carbohydrates. Quantitative phytochemical evaluations confirmed high levels of Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), Flavonol Content (FC), Total Proanthocyanidin Content (TPACC), Lycopene, and Beta-carotene. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH (IC₅₀: 17.729 µg/mL), Reducing Power (RP), and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) assays, all indicating strong radical scavenging and reducing properties. To examine the neuropharmacological and analgesic potential, Swiss albino mice were orally administered EHIL at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg. The Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), Hole Board Test (HBT), and Light-Dark Box (LDB) tests showed significant anxiolytic effects, while the Tail Suspension Test (TST) and Forced Swimming Test (FST) indicated dose-dependent antidepressant activity (p<0.001 to p<0.0001). Analgesic properties were validated using acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced paw licking models, both demonstrating substantial inhibition of pain. Furthermore, in-vitro anti-inflammatory activities were evidenced through protein denaturation and membrane stabilization assays. In conclusion, the findings strongly support the pharmacological potential of Heliotropium indicum leaves, particularly in antioxidant, anxiolytic, antidepressant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory domains. The study provides a scientific foundation for further pharmacokinetic and clinical research, paving the way for novel therapeutic applications of this underexplored medicinal plant.
References
Harborne, J. B. (1998). Phytochemical Methods: A Guide to Modern Techniques of Plant Analysis (3rd ed.). Springer.
Trease, G. E., & Evans, W. C. (2002). Pharmacognosy (15th ed.). Saunders.
Sofowora, A. (1993). Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine in Africa. Spectrum Books.
Kokate, C. K. (1994). Practical Pharmacognosy. Vallabh Prakashan.
Cowan, M. M. (1999). Plant products as antimicrobial agents. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 12(4), 564–582. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.12.4.564
Brand-Williams, W., Cuvelier, M. E., & Berset, C. (1995). Use of a free radical method to evaluate antioxidant activity. LWT – Food Science and Technology, 28(1), 25–30.
Benzie, I. F. F., & Strain, J. J. (1996). The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) as a measure of “antioxidant power”: The FRAP assay. Analytical Biochemistry, 239(1), 70–76.
Prieto, P., Pineda, M., & Aguilar, M. (1999). Spectrophotometric quantitation of antioxidant capacity through the formation of a phosphomolybdenum complex. Analytical Biochemistry, 269(2), 337–341.
Duraipandiyan, V., Ayyanar, M., & Ignacimuthu, S. (2006). Antimicrobial activity of some ethnomedicinal plants used by Paliyar tribe from Tamil Nadu, India. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 6(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-6-35
Boopathi, T., & Sivakumar, R. (2012). Phytochemical screening studies on the leaves of Heliotropium indicum Linn. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Research, 3(1), 42–44.
James, A., & Sunday, A. (2016). Antibacterial and phytochemical properties of ethanol extract of Heliotropium indicum. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 5(3), 117–127.
Rahman, M. A., & Alam, M. N. (2012). Antioxidant, cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties of Heliotropium indicum. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 3(5), 1441–1446.
Akinmoladun, F. O., Akinrinlola, B. L., & Komolafe, O. T. (2020). Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activities of Heliotropium indicum. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies, 8(4), 20–24.
Balakrishnan, N., & Pandian, S. R. K. (2010). Antibacterial activity of Heliotropium indicum Linn. International Journal of PharmTech Research, 2(1), 792–794.
Gupta, M., Mazumder, U. K., Sivakumar, T., & Vamsi, M. L. (2005). Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Clerodendron inerme against carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1(2), 15–18.
Nair, R., & Chanda, S. (2007). Antibacterial activities of selected medicinal plants against multiple antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli. Turkish Journal of Biology, 31(1), 43–48.
Ndebia, E. J., Kamga, R. T., & Anyangwe, F. F. (2010). Analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the aqueous extract from Uapaca heudelotti. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 4(7), 555–558.
National Research Council. (2011). Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (8th ed.). National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/12910
OECD. (2001). Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals: Acute Oral Toxicity – Acute Toxic Class Method (No. 423). Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Venkatesan, N., Thiyagarajan, V., Narayanan, S., Arul, A., Raja, S., & Suresh, B. (2009). Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Hedyotis corymbosa (L.) Lam. Natural Product Sciences, 15(2), 75–79.
Adedapo, A. A., Sofidiya, M. O., & Afolayan, A. J. (2010). Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the aqueous extract of Acacia karroo stem bark. Record of Natural Products, 4(4), 232–241.
Ugbabe, G. E., Ayodele, A. E., & Esimekhuai, S. (2012). Ethnobotany and conservation of medicinal plants in Nigeria. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 4(6), 190–199.
WHO. (2004). WHO Guidelines on Safety Monitoring of Herbal Medicines in Pharmacovigilance Systems. World Health Organization.
Keywords
Heliotropium indicum, Phytochemical Screening, Antimicrobial Activity, Antioxidant Properties, Medicinal Plants
All rights to Lilac Magazine are exclusively reserved under the Lilac Group of Companies, ensuring full copyright protection for all published content. As part of its commitment to fostering academic excellence, Lilac Group provides extensive research facilities for Lilac Education students, Lilac Group employees, members, and individuals dedicated to innovation and advanced research. Researchers can also access authentic primary data and verified factual information through Lilac Survey Company and its affiliated entities, facilitating accurate research and data-driven analysis. To obtain the full research paper, interested readers must submit a request with the LMRPID (Lilac Magazine Research Paper ID) via email at lilacpublication@gmail.com. A subscription fee of $100 USD applies, supporting research funding and academic scholarships awarded to dedicated researchers who demonstrate exceptional passion and commitment to their fields. To maintain the highest scholarly standards, Lilac Magazine ensures that all published research meets strict quality control measures, with data accuracy verification and a Turnitin plagiarism check (ensuring less than 10% similarity) along with minor grammatical refinements.