HPTLC analysis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities of Arisaema tortuosum tuber extract

Context: Oxidative stress and inflammation are related to several chronic diseases including cancer and atherosclerosis. Arisaema tortuosum (Wall.) Schott (Araceae) is an Indian folk medicinal herb traditionally used for treatment of various diseases related to inflammation and stress. Objective: This study was carried out for HPTLC analysis and evaluation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities of a methanol extract of A. tortuosum tuber. Materials and methods: The antioxidant activities of methanol extract of A. tortuosum tuber (1 mg/mL) were evaluated by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays and anti-inflammatory effects by diene-conjugate and beta-glucuronidase assays, with in vitro tumor growth inhibition on HeLa cancer cells. The results for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were compared using Trolox and salicylic acid as reference compounds, respectively. Results: The TLC and HPTLC analysis showed the presence of quercetin, rutin, luteolin and lectin (R-f values 0.97, 0.53, 0.59 and 1.58, respectively). The methanol fraction of tuber exhibit higher activity in each antioxidant system with a special attention for DPPH (IC50 = 852 mu g/mL), ABTS (IC50 = 532 mu g/mL), and FRAP (IC50 = 458 mu g/mL), as compared with Trolox as standard, with a remarkable amount of phenolics (86.2 mg/100 g) and flavonoids (175.5 mg/100 g), along with potent anti-inflammatory activity indicated by diene-conjugate (86.20%) and beta-glucuronidase (92.92%) inhibition, as compared with salicylic acid as reference compound. The antiproliferative activity at 100 mg/mL was 88% inhibition with HeLa cells. The inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation was greatest (p<0.001) with the 100 mg/mL A. tortuosum tuber extract treatments and least with the 25 mg/mL dose. Discussion and conclusion: Our results suggested that A. tortuosum tuber might be used as a promising and potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative agent and might be used for standardization of potential drug after successful isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds.