Polyphenolic characterization and biological assessment of Acacia nilotica (L.) wild. Ex delilie: An In vitro and In vivo appraisal of wound healing potential.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Acacia nilotica (L.) Wild. Ex Delilie is a shrub with significant ethnomedicinal stature. Therefore, in the undertaken study, its wound healing attributes are determined. AIM OF THE STUDY: The current study provided evidence of the traditional use of A. nilotica species and conferred A. nilotica bark extract as a potent candidate for wound healing agents. MATERIALS & METHODS: A. nilotica leaves extract (ANL-E); A. nilotica bark extract (ANB-E), and A. nilotica stem extract (ANS-E) were prepared using methanol-chloroform (1:1). Phytochemical analysis was performed using gallic acid equivalent (GAE) total phenolic content (TPC), quercetin equivalent (QE) total flavonoid content (TFC) assays and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro antioxidant potential (free radical scavenging activity (FRSA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay), antibacterial activity (broth microdilution method) and hemolytic analysis was carried out. Wound healing proficiency of ANB-E was determined by wound excision model followed by estimating hydroxyproline content and endogenous antioxidant markers. RESULTS: Maximum phenolic and flavonoid content were depicted by ANB-E i.e., 50.9 ± 0.34 µg gallic acid equivalent/mg extract and 28.7 ± 0.13 µg quercetin equivalent/mg extract, respectively. HPLC analysis unraveled the presence of a significant amount of catechin in ANL-E, ANB-E and ANS-E (54.66 ± 0.02, 44.9 ± 0.004 and 31.36 ± 0.02 µg/mg extract) respectively. Highest percent free radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant capacity, and ferric reducing action power (i.e., 93.3 ± 0.42 %, 222.10 ± 0.76, and 222.86 ± 0.54 µg ascorbic acid equivalent/mg extract) were exhibited by ANB-E. Maximum antibacterial potential against Staphylococcus aureus was exhibited by ANB-E (MIC 12.5 µg/ml). Two of the extracts i.e., ANL-E and ANB-E were found biocompatible with less than 5 % hemolytic potential. Based upon findings of in vitro analysis, ANB-E (10, 5, and 2.5 % w/w, C1, C2, and C3, respectively) was selected for evaluating its in vivo wound healing potential. Maximum contraction of wound area and fastest epithelization i.e., 98 ± 0.05 % and 11.2 ± 1.00 (day) was exhibited by C1. Maximum hydroxyproline content, glutathione, catalase, and peroxidase were demonstrated by C1 i.e., 15.9 ± 0.52 µg/mg, 9.3 ± 0.17 mmol/mg, 7.2 ± 0.17 and 6.2 ± 0.14 U/mg, respectively. Maximal curbed lipid peroxidation i.e., 0.7 ± 0.15 mmol/mg was also depicted by C1. CONCLUSIONS: In a nutshell, the current investigation endorsed the wound healing potential of ANB-E suggesting it to be an excellent candidate for future studies.

Preclinical anticancer studies on the ethyl acetate leaf extracts of Datura stramonium and Datura inoxia.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a horrific disease relentlessly affecting human population round the globe. Genus Datura encompasses numerous species with reported medicinal uses. However, its potential as a source of natural anticancer agents is yet to be determined. Datura stramonium (DS) and Datura inoxia (DI) are the two species chosen for this study. METHODS: Total phenolic and flavonoid content (TPC and TFC) as well as antioxidant activity were assessed through colorimetric method. Polyphenolic quantification was done by RP-HPLC. Following extract standardization ethyl acetate leaf extracts of both species (DSL-EA and DIL-EA) were chosen for anticancer studies. In vitro cytotoxicity using various models including cancer cell lines was monitored. Following toxicity studies, benzene (0.2 ml) was used to induce leukemia in Sprague-Dawley rats. Extracts were orally administered to preventive (100 and 200 mg/kg) and treatment (200 mg/kg only) groups. The antileukemic potential of extracts was assessed through haematological, biochemical, endogenous antioxidants and histological parameters. RESULTS: Significant TPC and TFC were estimated in DSL-EA and DIL-EA. RP-HPLC quantified (µg/mg extract) rutin (0.89 ± 0.03), gallic acid (0.35 ± 0.07), catechin (0.24 ± 0.02) and apigenin (0.29 ± 0.09) in DSL-EA while rutin (0.036 ± 0.004) and caffeic acid (0.27 ± 0.03) in DIL-EA. Both extracts exhibited significant brine shrimp cytotoxicity (LC50 < 12.5 µg/ml). DIL-EA exhibited greater cytotoxicity against PC-3, MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 cell lines (IC50 < 3 µg/ml in each case) as well as higher protein kinase inhibitory action (MIC: 25 µg/disc) compared to DSL-EA. Leukemia induced in rats was affirmed by elevated serum levels of WBCs (7.78 ± 0.012 (× 103) /µl), bilirubin (7.56 ± 0.97 mg/dl), Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) (133.75 ± 2.61 nM/min/mg protein), decreased RBCs (4.33 ± 0.065 (× 106)/µl), platelets (344 ± 3.19 (× 103)/µl), total proteins (2.14 ± 0.11 g/dl), Glutathione S-transferases (GST) (81.01 ± 0.44 nM/min/ml), endogenous antioxidant enzymes levels and abnormal liver and kidney functionality in disease control rats. Both species revealed almost identical and significant (p < 0.05) alleviative effects in benzene induced leukemia. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive screening divulged the tremendous potential of selected species as potent source of natural anticancer agents in a variety of cancers particularly leukemia. Present study might provide useful finger prints in cancer research and mechanistic studies are prerequisite in logical hunt of this goal.