Phytochemical screening and assessment of pharmacological properties of Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex fleming) root methanolic extract

Abstract

Background and Objective: Various parts of medicinal plants have been used to treat specific disorder from ancient times. Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex Fleming) is a customary folklore medicine, used in the treatment of liver disorders, fevers, dysentery, diarrhea, stomach problems and other disorders. The present study was carried out in order to assess the antioxidant activity, to evaluate the antifungal properties of the plant’s root and to observe anticancer potential of methanolic extract of Swertia chirayita root. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical analysis and different chemical tests for the screening and identification of bioactive chemical constituents in Swertia chirayita methanolic root extract (SCME) were carried out using the standard procedures. The plants were purchased from local herbal market. In vitro determination of antioxidant properties of SCME were conducted using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)radical scavenging activity, H2O2 scavenging activity, Beta-carotene bleaching assay, total antioxidant activity by phosphomolybdenum method, azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation scavenging activity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Anticancer activity of SCME was determined according to the protocol of brine shrimp lethality test. Antifungal potential was determined by measuring zone of inhibition on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) plates. The different concentrations of SCME used were 3.0, 1.5, 0.75 and 0.37 mg mL–1. The data were evaluated as Mean±Standard Deviations of 5 independent experimental responses. The results were analyzed using t-test for independent samples with SPSS version 16.0. Results: Phytochemical analysis of SCME showed that phlobatannins, tannins, saponins and terpenoids were present. The SCME exhibited strong antioxidant activity in a concentration dependent manner for in all six models. The SCME at dose of 3 mg mL–1 caused 100% death rate of brine shrimp after 72 h. The SCME showed potent activity against Aspergillus flavus (87%) followed by Aspergillus niger (88%) while the highest activity was shown against Aspergillus fumigatus (92%). Conclusion: The SCME exhibited strong antioxidant, antifungal and cytotoxic potential. Purification of different bioactive compounds should be carried out and in vivo studies are required for further verification.